Semperis has unveiled an official trailer for its new documentary, Midnight in the War Room, which delves into the intensifying cyber battles faced by nations and cyber defense leaders.
Featuring cybersecurity and national security experts like Chris Inglis, former U.S. National Cyber Director, and General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former CIA Director, this film brings together insights from influential voices within the field.
Escalating Cyber Conflict
More than 50 experts, including transformed hackers, share their invaluable perspectives
This full-length documentary highlights the mounting cyber conflict involving nation-states, criminal factions, and defenders such as Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) who protect vital global systems.
More than 50 experts, including transformed hackers, share their invaluable perspectives, shedding light on the human elements of cyber warfare — from resilience to burnout — in a battleground without boundaries where trust is often attacked.
Nation-State Cyberattacks
Chris Inglis states, "The greatest threat we face isn't just the sophistication of nation-state cyberattacks, it's complacency." His participation in the film underscores the need to strengthen defenses and prepare for future threats. Semperis is pioneering in cybersecurity by producing this feature film, spotlighting the defense of infrastructures crucial to societal function, such as water, power, healthcare, and financial services.
Escalating Cyber War
Thomas LeDuc, Chief Marketing Officer at Semperis and Executive Producer of the film, expressed pride in the collaborative effort of industry thought leaders, including former intelligence officers and CISOs, to bring this story to the fore. Midnight in the War Room provides a rare perspective on cyber defense, focusing on the determination and pressure facing individuals protecting essential operations.
Real-World Cyberattacks
Among those featured in the documentary are renowned figures such as cyber psychologist Professor Mary Aiken, and cybersecurity researcher Marcus Hutchins, known for halting the WannaCry outbreak. These personal accounts and expert interviews offer insight into real-world cyber incursions and the ongoing efforts to fend them off, creating a rich tapestry of experiences from various industry leaders and experts.
Championing Cyber Resilience
Former CISA Director Jen Easterly remarks, "Defeating the malicious cyberattacks that threaten our way of life will take more than technology designed to be secure, it will take the creativity and curiosity of the human mind." Her involvement in the documentary aims to further fuel the mission of strengthening cyber defenses.
Filmed across North America and Europe, Midnight in the War Room is a Semperis Media production that will be supported through partnerships with notable cybersecurity and professional organizations. These partnerships, including collaborations with the CyberRisk Alliance and the Cyber Future Foundation, will facilitate private screenings and promote community awareness, advocating for greater cyber resilience.
Semperis, a provider of AI-powered identity security and cyber resilience, released the official trailer for Midnight in the War Room, a groundbreaking new documentary.
The film features top voices in cybersecurity and national security, including Chris Inglis, the first U.S. National Cyber Director; General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director; Jen Easterly, former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director; Marcus Hutchins, WannaCry hero; and Professor Mary Aiken, world-renowned cyber psychologist—along with dozens of global security experts, cyber journalists, and reformed hackers.
Escalating cyber conflict
The feature-length film explores the escalating cyber conflict between nation states, criminal groups, and the defenders on the front lines of cyber war: the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) safeguarding the world’s critical systems.
More than 50 experts weigh in, including voices from the other side - former hackers, some who served time - offering rare insight into the attacker’s mindset. The stories reveal the human side of cyber war: courage, burnout, and the relentless fight to keep the lights on. The film pulls back the curtain on a war with no borders and no rules, where trust becomes a target and complacency becomes a weapon.
Nation-state cyberattacks
“The greatest threat we face isn’t just the sophistication of nation-state cyberattacks, it’s complacency,” says Inglis. “Resilience is forged when we refuse to accept today’s defenses as enough and prepare for the battles still to come. That’s why I’m thrilled to be part of this film, a story that will ignite awareness, rally defenders and inspire us all to stand together in the fight.”
Semperis is the first cybersecurity company to produce a full-length feature film on cyber war, spotlighting the defenders who safeguard the infrastructure society depends on: water and power systems, food supply chains, healthcare networks, and financial institutions targeted by nation states and ransomware gangs.
Escalating cyber war
“Midnight in the War Room is a truly special project for us, unlike anything our industry has seen,” says Thomas LeDuc, Chief Marketing Officer at Semperis and Executive Producer of the film. “We are humbled by the caliber of experts taking part—from former intelligence leaders to frontline CISOs, journalists, victims, and even reformed hackers—all coming together to tell this story. It offers a rare, human look at cyber defense … the courage, pressure, and resolve of the people who protect what keeps the world running.”
The documentary features a powerhouse cast of prominent figures in cybersecurity and national security, offering a comprehensive look at top-of-mind challenges and potential solutions in the face of escalating cyber war.
Real-world cyberattacks
The film includes appearances by:
- Professor Mary Aiken, world-renowned cyber psychologist
- Heath Adams, cybersecurity industry educator and influencer
- Marene Allison, former CISO, Johnson & Johnson
- Krista Arndt, author, CISO, and Board Member, Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Delaware Valley Affiliate
- Grace Cassy, Co-founder, CyLon, former Diplomat, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Heather M. Costa, Director of Technology Resilience, Mayo Clinic
- Anne Coulombe, former CISO, MassMutual
- Jen Easterly, former CISA Director
- Ori Fragman, former CISO, Hapag-Lloyd
- John Hammond, cybersecurity industry educator and influencer
- Simon Hodgkinson, former CISO, bp
- Marcus Hutchins (MalwareTech), cybersecurity researcher known for stopping WannaCry
- Chris Inglis, first U.S. National Cyber Director
- Philip Keibler, Vice President and CISO, large midwestern supermarket chain
- Jesse McGraw (Ghost Exodus), former hacktivist turned white hat
- General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former CIA Director
- David Schwed, CISO, Robinhood
- Richard Stiennon, Founder, IT-Harvest
- Joe Tidy, Cyber Correspondent, BBC
- Dozens more expert interviews to be announced in the coming weeks, sharing first-hand accounts of real-world cyberattacks and the fight to defend against them
Champion cyber resilience
“Defeating the malicious cyberattacks that threaten our way of life will take more than technology designed to be secure, it will take the creativity and curiosity of the human mind,” says Easterly. “Those qualities empower defenders to outthink and outmaneuver adversaries, and it’s an honor to be part of Midnight in the War Room to advance that mission.”
Midnight in the War Room was produced by Semperis Media and filmed across North America and Europe. Semperis is partnering with leading cybersecurity and professional organizations - including the CyberRisk Alliance (CRA), the Cyber Future Foundation (CFF), the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT), (ISC)² Eastern Massachusetts Chapter, the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, and the WiCyS Delaware Valley Affiliate, among many others - to co-host private showings, raise community awareness, and champion cyber resilience.
