Deepfakes, Patches, and Ransomware Bans: Why Cybersecurity Discipline Is Non-Negotiable

“Me and you, we are in danger, man.” That’s what my co-host Shannon said when we got into this week’s discussion on deepfake vishing attacks — AI-powered voice clones so convincing they can trick even the most cautious among us.

Here’s the playbook: scammers harvest your voice from online content (podcasts, social media videos, even voicemail greetings), feed it into AI, and produce an audio replica that sounds exactly like you. Then they call your friends, family, or employees — pretending to be you — and push them to share credentials, click malicious links, or send money.

Combine that with caller ID spoofing and publicly available social media breadcrumbs (“Congrats on the new baby!”) and you’ve got a social engineering nightmare.

The solution? Layered authentication — not just in tech systems, but in personal life. Use a verbal passphrase with loved ones. Never rely solely on voice recognition for identity verification. And for organizations, retire voice-only authentication before the attackers retire you.

From AI Voice Clones to Microsoft Exchange Compromises

The threats aren’t limited to human trust. Technical vulnerabilities still dominate the breach landscape. Case in point: the recently disclosed Microsoft Exchange Server flaw (CVE-2025-53786). Left unpatched, it can lead to total domain compromise — and attackers can pivot from on-premises Exchange to your cloud environment.

The good news? Microsoft fixed it back in April. The bad news? Four months later, too many systems remain unpatched.

Patching is like flossing — everybody knows it’s good for you, but too many wait until there’s pain. Whether you’re an enterprise or a solo admin, Patch Tuesday isn’t a suggestion. If you see “Update Available,” do some research and go ahead and install it. As I said on the podcast:

“Stop delaying… I know you have 1,000 tabs open. Let them go and patch your system so you’re not vulnerable.”

Ransomware Bans: A High-Stakes Debate

Finally, we tackled the UK’s proposed public sector ransomware payment ban — a move that would make it illegal for government entities to pay attackers. According to a UK study, 83% of public organizations had paid ransoms, despite most leaders saying they opposed the practice.

It’s the “feeding stray cats” problem — pay once, and the criminals (and their friends) will be back. The challenge? Saying “never pay” is easy until it’s your systems down, your patients at risk, or your city government offline.

The UK can mandate strong cyber hygiene practices alongside the ban, but execution matters. Backups, incident response drills, and tested recovery plans are non-negotiable. Without them, organizations will face a brutal choice between violating the law or shutting down services.

Bottom Line

Cybersecurity in 2025 isn’t about a single technology or policy — it’s about discipline:

• Don’t trust voices without secondary verification.

• Patch systems as if your career depends on it (because it might).

• Plan for ransomware before it happens, not during.

Whether you’re a C-suite exec, an aspiring cyber pro, or just someone trying to protect your family, the playbook is the same: anticipate the threat, prepare for impact, and practice your response.

Listen to the full conversation on theothersideofthefirewall.com or ram.cyber.io. 📚 And don’t forget—our book is available for pre-order now!

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more episodes of The Other Side of the Firewall podcast on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, as well as the Ask A CISSP podcast every Thursday. Please like, share, and subscribe.

Stay safe, stay secure!

Ryan is a retired Air Force veteran who brings over 20 years of experience in network infrastructure, project management, and cybersecurity consulting to his current role as CEO of RAM Cyber Consulting & Assessments, LLC. RAM Cyber is a premier governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) consultancy dedicated to supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), federal agencies, and corporate entities. We specialize in delivering expert guidance to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance cybersecurity postures.

Shannon, also a retired Air Force veteran, has more than two decades of expertise in network security and vulnerability management. He now serves as an Information System Security Officer (ISSO), where he continues to enhance national security protocols.

Chris is a Navy veteran with over 13 years in IT, information assurance, and risk management. His current role as a senior security consultant focuses on vCISO and cyber assessment services, enhancing data security and privacy for various organizations.

**The Other Side of the Firewall podcast is a product of RAM Cyber Consulting & Assessments, LLC. RAM Cyber Consulting & Assessments, LLC is a premier governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) consultancy dedicated to supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), federal agencies, and corporate entities. We specialize in delivering expert guidance to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance cybersecurity postures. RAM Cyber is pending SDVOSB, VOSB, and 8(a) certification by the SBA, underscoring our commitment to excellence and service.