Cybersecurity, Espionage, and National Defense with Martin Matishak

Cyber Focus

In this week's episode Frank Cilluffo speaks with Martin Matishak, a seasoned cybersecurity journalist currently with The Record and formerly with Politico and National Journal. They discuss China’s cyber threats, particularly the Volt Typhoon and Soft Typhoon campaigns, and their implications for critical infrastructure security and espionage tactics. Matishak also unpacks supply chain vulnerabilities, U.S. cyber policy challenges, and the evolving debate over Cyber Command 2.0, a U.S. Cyber Force, and the NSA-Cyber Command dual hat structure. The conversation extends to cyber diplomacy, examining U.S. efforts like the FALCON rapid response program and State Department initiatives to counter China’s growing digital influence.

Main Topics Covered

• Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon cyber threats—China’s infiltration of telecom and critical infrastructure networks.
• Cyber Command 2.0 and military cyber readiness—Congressional debates on U.S. cyber capabilities and a potential independent Cyber Force.
• NSA-Cyber Command Dual Hat debate—Should the leadership of U.S. Cyber Command and NSA be separated?
• Cyber supply chain vulnerabilities—The FCC’s “Rip and Replace” initiative and the challenge of securing U.S. networks.
• State Department’s cyber diplomacy—The FALCON program’s role in global cybersecurity response and countering China’s digital influence.

Key Quotes:

[China] will do what they want to do when they want to do it. And they are not scared by anything [the U.S. has] done to them so far.—Martin Matishak

A few years ago, [my source said] if the [military] services were at the same readiness levels as the cyber mission force planes would not fly, boats would not sail, soldiers would not march, Marines would not deploy. It was that bad.—Martin Matishak

There are very large swaths of Congress that are just fed up with the lack of readiness of our cyber forces.” —Martin Matishak

The 'dual hat' as we know it might be over." —Martin Matishak

At the end of the day, bringing something unique to the table to help others will pay dividends in other diplomatic areas." —Frank Cilluffo

Relevant Links and Resources

• The Record – Martin Matishak’s latest reporting
• FCC “Rip and Replace” program
• U.S. Cyber Command

Guest Bio

Martin Matishak is a cybersecurity journalist with The Record, covering national security, cyber threats, and government policy. Previously, he wrote for Politico and National Journal, focusing on cyber warfare, espionage, and defense strategy. His reporting has shaped policy discussions on Chinese cyber operations, U.S. cyber readiness, and emerging cyber defense strategies.