A first-of-its-kind documentary set to premiere in spring 2026 is pulling back the curtain on what cybersecurity journalist Tony Bradley describes as an often-overlooked reality: the immense mental and emotional strain experienced by those protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Midnight in the War Room represents the first full-length documentary produced by a cybersecurity company, featuring an unprecedented roster of more than 50 experts 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 and Deputy Director for the National Security Agency; and Marcus Hutchins, who gained recognition for stopping the WannaCry ransomware attack.
Produced by Semperis and executive produced by the company’s Chief Marketing Officer Thomas LeDuc, the film spotlights defenders safeguarding water and power systems, food supply chains, healthcare networks, and financial institutions targeted by nation-states and ransomware gangs.
The Human Element
What sets this documentary apart, according to Bradley’s review, is its emotional honesty. LeDuc revealed that multiple chief information security officers (CISOs) described their interviews as “therapy,” reflecting how rare it is for these professionals to acknowledge the exhaustion that comes with constantly fighting unseen threats.
The film treats cybersecurity burnout not as weakness, but as evidence of how far the profession has evolved, connecting corporate defense challenges with broader national security imperatives. As Gen. Petraeus noted, “Every single day, there’s a war going on in cyber space,” supporting the warning that digital borders are now as real as physical ones and just as vulnerable
A Call to Action
For homeland security professionals, the documentary offers critical insights into the complex challenges faced by defenders working to secure essential infrastructure increasingly targeted by cyber criminal groups and nation-state actors. The film includes perspectives from reformed hackers now working as ethical security consultants, offering unique insights into both defense and attack strategies within cyber warfare.
“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,” noted former CISA Director Jen Easterly, emphasizing that human ingenuity remains essential to overcoming cyber threats.
The documentary arrives at a critical moment, with 4 million cybersecurity jobs unfilled globally, a talent gap leaving critical systems undefended. Semperis is partnering with leading organizations, including the Cyber Future Foundation, the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, and various professional cybersecurity groups to host private screenings and champion cyber resilience initiatives.
The trailer is available now at semperis.com/midnight-in-the-war-room, and updates on the documentary will be available through its social media channels.
