📍Colonel Shawn Smith joins David Rutherford to explain how advanced persistent threats (APTs) operate—and why these nation-state cyber operations can’t be treated like ordinary hacking. He details how long-term infiltration, supply-chain compromise, and weak security culture can put critical U.S. systems at risk. This is a conversation about national security, cyber warfare, and why the public often struggles to understand the scale of what’s happening.


In this episode, they cover:
What an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) really is — and why it’s different from normal hacking
Why nation-state cyber attacks are planned for years, not days
The “enemy inside the wire” problem: what happens when attackers are already embedded
How China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea approach cyber warfare differently
The hidden danger of supply chain compromise (hardware + subcomponents)
Why election security “testing” often fails to reflect real-world threat conditions
The uncomfortable question: are U.S. institutions derelict… or complicit when it comes to protecting critical systems?

Next Steps:
🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford: https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/
📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior
📰 Sign up for David's weekly newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/

📍Colonel Shawn Smith joins David Rutherford to explain how advanced persistent threats (APTs) operate&mdash;and why these nation-state cyber operations can&rsquo;t be treated like ordinary hacking. He details how long-term infiltration, supply-chain compromise, and weak security culture can put critical U.S. systems at risk. This is a conversation about national security, cyber warfare, and why the public often struggles to understand the scale of what&rsquo;s happening. 
In this episode, they cover:
<ul>
<li>What an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) really is &mdash; and why it&rsquo;s different from normal hacking</li>
<li>Why nation-state cyber attacks are planned for years, not days</li>
<li>The &ldquo;enemy inside the wire&rdquo; problem: what happens when attackers are already embedded</li>
<li>How China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea approach cyber warfare differently</li>
<li>The hidden danger of supply chain compromise (hardware + subcomponents)</li>
<li>Why election security &ldquo;testing&rdquo; often fails to reflect real-world threat conditions</li>
<li>The uncomfortable question: are U.S. institutions derelict&hellip; or complicit when it comes to protecting critical systems?</li>
</ul>
Next Steps:
<ul>
<li>🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford: <a href="https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/">https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/</a></li>
<li>📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: <a href="https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior">https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior</a></li>
<li>📰 Sign up for David's weekly newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: <a href="https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/">https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/</a></li>
</ul>

The David Rutherford Show represents the highest form of the emerging new media landscape. As a former Navy SEAL, CIA contractor, and world championship performance coach, David has been exploring the human condition for the past 30 years in his epic quest to understand how individuals and teams can defeat the negative insurgency. In his new show David will give experienced analysis to most pressing topics of our time. His mission is to consolidate the battlefield of information and provide unique context to most important issues of the day. Don’t miss this exciting show and allow David to be your flash bang of truth. 

The David Rutherford Show represents the highest form of the emerging new media landscape. As a former Navy SEAL, CIA contractor, and world championship performance coach, David has been exploring the human condition for the past 30 years in his epic quest to understand how individuals and teams can defeat the negative insurgency. In his new show David will give experienced analysis to most pressing topics of our time. His mission is to consolidate the battlefield of information and provide unique context to most important issues of the day. Don&rsquo;t miss this exciting show and allow David to be your flash bang of truth.&nbsp;

The David Rutherford Show

David Rutherford Show: The U.S. Election System Is a National Security Threat | Colonel Shawn Smith 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/425c7675-adb4-40f5-a8a0-b3dc00085e5d/transcript