Semperis has released the official trailer for Midnight in the War Room, a feature-length documentary exploring the escalating battle between cyber attackers and defenders. The film brings together some of the most prominent voices in cybersecurity, national security, and cyber psychology, offering a rare, human-focused look at the people on the front lines of a war with no borders.
A deep dive into the hidden cyber conflict
Produced by Semperis Media, the documentary examines the growing threats posed by nation states and criminal organisations and the critical role played by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in protecting essential systems. It features contributions from more than 50 global experts, including Chris Inglis, the first US National Cyber Director; General (Ret.) David Petraeus, former CIA Director; Jen Easterly, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Marcus Hutchins, the cybersecurity researcher known for halting WannaCry; and Professor Mary Aiken, a leading cyber psychologist.
The film also includes perspectives from former hackers, some of whom have served time, providing rare insight into the mindset and tactics of adversaries. These accounts shed light on the immense pressures faced by defenders, who must constantly innovate to safeguard critical infrastructure such as power grids, water systems, financial networks, healthcare services, and food supply chains.
“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.”
Human stories behind digital defence
Midnight in the War Room highlights the human cost of cyberwarfare, focusing on the resilience, courage, and sacrifices of those tasked with defending vital systems. It explores the psychological and emotional toll of a relentless conflict that plays out largely behind the scenes, where trust is constantly targeted and complacency can have devastating consequences.
“Cyber threats know no borders, and the Asia Pacific region is on the front lines of this global conflict,” says Gerry Sillars, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan at Semperis. “Midnight in the War Room highlights the shared challenges our defenders face every day: protecting critical infrastructure and essential services in an increasingly complex digital landscape. We hope this film sparks stronger collaboration across the region and reinforces the urgency of building cyber resilience through identity security.”
Thomas LeDuc, Chief Marketing Officer at Semperis and Executive Producer of the film, describes the project as unprecedented in the cybersecurity industry. “Midnight in the War Room is a truly special project for us, unlike anything our industry has seen,” he says. “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.”
Expert voices and global collaboration
The documentary features a wide range of leading experts, including Marene Allison, former CISO at Johnson & Johnson; Grace Cassy, Co-founder of CyLon and former diplomat with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Heather M. Costa, Director of Technology Resilience at the Mayo Clinic; and Simon Hodgkinson, former CISO at bp. Others include David Schwed, CISO at Robinhood; Richard Stiennon, Founder of IT-Harvest; Joe Tidy, Cyber Correspondent at the BBC; and Jesse McGraw (known as Ghost Exodus), a former hacktivist turned white-hat security professional.
“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.”
Filmed across North America and Europe, the documentary is supported by a network of cybersecurity and professional organisations. Semperis is partnering with groups including the CyberRisk Alliance, Cyber Future Foundation, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, (ISC)² Eastern Massachusetts Chapter, Michigan Council of Women in Technology, and the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Delaware Valley Affiliate to host private screenings, promote public awareness, and drive conversations on strengthening cyber resilience.
By showcasing the human stories behind cybersecurity, Midnight in the War Room aims to deepen public understanding of an often unseen battle and inspire greater collaboration across industries and borders.
