Semperis has unveiled the trailer for its new documentary, Midnight in the War Room, focusing on the evolving landscape of cyber warfare.
The film brings together leading figures from both cybersecurity and national security sectors, such as Chris Inglis, the first U.S. National Cyber Director, and General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Also featured are Jen Easterly, former CISA Director, and Marcus Hutchins, known for his role in stopping the WannaCry attack. The documentary aims to present insights from a wide array of global security specialists, cyber journalists, and former hackers.
Insight into Escalating Cyber Conflict
This feature film delves into the intensifying cyber battles facing nations and organisations globally. It highlights the roles of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), who are at the forefront of protecting crucial systems.
This feature film delves into the intensifying cyber battles facing nations and organisations globally
Over 50 experts provide revelations about situations that blur traditional boundaries, showcasing both the resilience and vulnerabilities in cyber defences. The narrative also exposes personal human stories—revealing courage and burnout amid the ceaseless operations to maintain essential services.
Focus on Nation-State Cyberattacks
Commenting on the threats posed by state-sponsored cyberattacks, Chris Inglis points out, "The greatest threat we face isn’t just the sophistication of nation-state cyberattacks, it’s complacency."
He highlights the importance of developing resilience and preparing for future threats. Midnight in the War Room marks Semperis as the pioneering cybersecurity company to create a comprehensive film on cyber conflicts, examining the safeguarding of critical infrastructure that societies rely on, including water, power, and financial systems.
Comprehensive Perspectives on Cyber War
According to Thomas LeDuc, Semperis CMO and Executive Producer, the project is a unique initiative showing diverse perspectives from intelligence veterans to frontline cybersecurity professionals and journalists.
The documentary examines the courage and pressure these individuals face. Notably, it casts influential figures such as Professor Mary Aiken, Heath Adams, and Marene Allison. Insights from various industry experts, including Kirsta Arndt, Grace Cassy, and several former CISOs like Anne Coulombe and Simon Hodgkinson, further enhance the film's comprehensive viewpoint.
Human Creativity in Cyber Defence
Jen Easterly states, “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." This sentiment underscores a central theme of the documentary, which was produced across North America and Europe by Semperis Media.
The film also collaborates with several leading cybersecurity and professional organisations, such as the CyberRisk Alliance and the Cyber Future Foundation, to hold private screenings and promote cyber resilience awareness. In the coming weeks, additional expert interviews will be released, sharing firsthand experiences of real-world cyberattacks and the defenders' responses.
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 defences 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 calibre 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 defence … 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 outmanoeuvre adversaries, and it’s an honour 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 organisations - 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.
