EPISODE 15
Episode Overview
The Snowden Playbook: How One Man Breached The NSA To Expose Global Surveillance
Air Date: 12.2.25 | Duration: 22:18
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About Episode 15:
Edward Snowden, a highly trusted NSA contractor, exposed one of the most expansive global surveillance systems in history. In this episode, Charles Denyer breaks down what really happened behind the Snowden disclosures.
From his early life in North Carolina to CIA and NSA contracting roles, Snowden’s meticulous technical expertise combined with a moral imperative to act. In June 2013, he transmitted top-secret documents revealing programs like PRISM, XKeyscore, and Tempora, sparking global debates on privacy, government oversight, and digital freedom.
This episode traces Snowden’s journey through Hong Kong, his tense transit in a Moscow airport, and eventual life in long-term exile, while analyzing the operational, legal, and geopolitical ramifications of his disclosures. We also examine myths versus facts surrounding his motives and explore how his actions reshaped organizational security, public awareness, and regulatory frameworks.
Executives, CISOs, and senior leaders will gain actionable insights on insider threats, data governance, and cyber risk management in a world defined by constant surveillance.
What You’ll Learn:
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How programs like PRISM, XKeyscore, and Tempora functioned and the scope of global surveillance
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Why Snowden’s insider access made his disclosures possible
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Geopolitical, legal, and cultural consequences of the 2013 revelations
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How the leaks influenced adoption of encryption, privacy tools, and public digital awareness
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Frameworks modern organizations use to manage insider threats, access control, and data security
Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned:
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Insider Threat Management Models – Treat internal access with the same rigor as external attacks
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Zero-Trust Architecture – “Trust no one by default” security philosophy accelerated by Snowden’s revelations
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Least Privilege & Access Control Frameworks – Limiting system access to only necessary personnel
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Data Governance & Auditability Practices – Ensuring accountability for digital actions
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Global Privacy Regulations – GDPR, CCPA, and other legislation influenced by Snowden’s disclosures
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Encrypted Communication Tools – Technologies widely adopted to safeguard digital privacy
This episode goes beyond the leaks. It examines the human patterns, institutional blind spots, cultural assumptions, and insider threat dynamics that allowed one contractor to change the global conversation on privacy, intelligence, and digital risk.
Tune in to Episode 15—The Snowden Playbook: How One Man Breached The NSA To Expose Global Surveillance—and understand how easily power can grow without oversight and how important it is to question the systems that shape our digital lives..
Listen and Learn.
The Snowden Playbook: How One Man Breached The NSA To Expose Global Surveillance, is a story of how Strong security, ethical responsibility and transparent data practices are not optional. They are essential for protecting privacy and trust in a connected world.
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Production Credits: This is a Charles Denyer Productions podcast. Hosted and produced by Charles Denyer.