October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we thought this was the perfect time to combine two of MarCom Group Cybersecurity Specialist Sequoyah Saunders’ favorite topics – the future of cybersecurity and movies.

Sequoyah is a massive fan of movies. She loves scary movies and futuristic movies; basically, any movie that makes her think about the future of technology is on her must-see list. We sat down with Sequoyah to chat about the types of threats she’s most concerned about and if any of them inspire a movie recommendation from her. 

Deprecation of Windows 10

For the last decade, Windows 10 has been a workhorse, but even good workhorses need to retire. Microsoft has announced plans to phase out Windows 10, although this does not mean an immediate end. Official support ceased on October 14, 2025, which means no more security patches or updates will be available. The system will continue to run, but as any good Cybersecurity Specialist will tell you, an unsupported operating system leaves you open to cyber risks. Microsoft is encouraging everyone to upgrade to Windows 11, which offers improved performance, a refreshed design, and enhanced security features. So, it’s a good idea to start planning that upgrade now instead of waiting until the last minute.

Sequoyah’s movie recommendation: FINAL DESTINATION, 2000

Much like Windows 10, the main characters of Final Destination find themselves trying to avoid their fate. Fate, in this case, is not the gentle nudging towards a better operating system but from death itself.

AI Hacking

Hackers have been around since the first person left their password lying around. But today’s hackers aren’t just sitting behind keyboards anymore. In fact, many of them are letting AI do the heavy lifting. Today’s threat actors are using artificial intelligence to speed up reconnaissance, whip up convincing phishing emails, and even mimic voices or faces with deepfakes. What used to take hours of careful planning can now be generated in seconds, making scams look far more polished and believable. AI also helps attackers find and exploit security gaps faster than before, essentially giving them a powerful new set of tools to outsmart defenses. The worst part? Even people who think they’d never fall for a scam are finding it harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

Sequoyah’s movie recommendation: Ghost in the Shell, 1995

Taking place in the now-not-so-distant future of 2029, this anime classic is about a futuristic Japan where humans can upload their consciousness (ghosts) into machines (shells) and cybernetic implants and cyborgs are commonplace. Our hero is on the trail of a hacker who uses this technology for nefarious purposes.

Quantum Computing

Right now, quantum computing is like the wild frontier of technology. Instead of using traditional bits (0s and 1s) like today’s computers, quantum computers use “qubits,” which can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. That gives them the potential to solve problems that would take today’s fastest supercomputers thousands of years to solve. Everything from drug discovery to transforming communication and revolutionizing AI is in our near future. Sounds great, right?

Before we start high-fiving, let’s look at the flip side. That same power could eventually break most, if not all, of today’s encryption methods: exposing sensitive data, financial transactions, and more. A “harvest-now, decrypt-later” strategy is a concern for those who would steal encrypted data now, hoping to decrypt it later as quantum computing technology improves. Quantum computers aren’t mainstream yet, but companies and governments are racing to get there first.

Sequoyah’s movie recommendation: Ex Machina, 2014

Quantum computing is so new that there isn’t a movie that features it. Instead, I’ll recommend a film that explores a potential outcome of quantum computing combined with the rise of AI. Ex Machina (2014) is about a young programmer who wins a contest to meet the mysterious and brilliant CEO of his company. Tasked to provide a Turing Test to a beautiful robot, he quickly starts to wonder if her motives are programmed or a reflection of humanity.

Much like a good movie, the future of cybersecurity is equal parts thrilling and chilling. Just as the characters in our favorite films can’t escape their scripted fates, we can’t ignore the need to stay one step ahead of evolving cyber risks. Whether it’s preparing for the end of Windows 10, battling the future risks of AI hacking, or preparing for the quantum computing revolution, the message is clear: tomorrow’s threats require vigilance today.

That’s why for MarCom Group, cybersecurity isn’t just a priority, it’s one of the pillars our organization is built on. We recently received the ISO/IEC 27001:2022, a globally-recognized information security management systems certification, thanks to Sequoyah and our crack team of cybersecurity and IT experts.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we hope you give Sequoyah’s recommendations a watch, and heed her expert advice: Stay alert, stay informed, and when in doubt, don’t click that link!  

About the Authors 

Ray Tolbert is the Creative Director of Copy for MarCom Group. He is a graduate of The Brandcenter in Richmond, VA. When he’s not thinking about copy, he spends his time shuttling his many children to different sporting practices, rehearsals, concerts, and tournaments. On occasion, he gets to talk to his wife. He loves her very much.

Sequoyah Saunders is a Cybersecurity Specialist. She earned her Master’s in Cybersecurity Technologies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. When she’s not keeping MarCom Group and our clients safe from online dangers, she enjoys getting jump scares from movies, visiting art museums, and watching her favorite Japanese anime.