Podcast: PrOTect It All (LS 27 · TOP 10% what is this?)
Episode: AI, Cybersecurity & Career Growth: Why Curiosity Matters More Than Credentials
Pub date: 2026-05-25
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The future of cybersecurity belongs to people who can adapt - not just those with the longest list of certifications.
In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Peter Schawacker for a candid conversation about the evolving intersection of AI, cybersecurity, talent, and career growth.
With nearly 30 years of experience in cybersecurity and technology leadership, Peter shares real-world insights on what organizations are getting wrong about hiring, why curiosity often matters more than credentials, and how AI is reshaping both technical work and the future of security teams.
Together, Aaron and Peter unpack the changing role of CISOs, the dangers of checkbox-driven hiring, and why nontraditional talent may hold the key to solving the industry’s growing skills gap.
You’ll learn:
Why soft skills and curiosity are becoming critical cybersecurity assets
How AI is transforming cybersecurity recruiting and technical roles
The growing challenges around technical debt and workforce readiness
Why traditional credentials don’t always predict success
How CISOs and leaders should think differently about talent and culture
Practical career advice for cybersecurity professionals navigating rapid change
Whether you’re building a cyber team, hiring talent, or planning your next career move, this episode delivers honest insights into what it really takes to thrive in the AI-driven future of cybersecurity.
Tune in to learn why adaptability, curiosity, and human ingenuity still matter most - only on Protect It All..
Key Moments:
04:08 The role of security in business
09:24 Managing Aramis online security
11:22 Hiring mindset for troubleshooting skills
13:55 Evaluating AI talent challenges
16:26 Discussing vulnerabilities in software
22:24 Early days of hacking and tech
25:55 Realizing the power of soft skills
28:15 Browsing eclectic book collections
32:13 Recent grads and AI opportunities
33:24 Getting into cybersecurity careers
37:22 Unexpected paths into security careers
40:41 Importance of critical thinking
44:35 Explaining tech's evolution over time
About the Guest :
Peter Schawacker is the Founder & CEO of Nearshore Cyber and a cybersecurity executive with more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries. A former CISO in four sectors, Peter specializes in cyber risk, AI governance, and workforce development. He is the creator of ARAMIS Insight, an AI-powered cybersecurity workforce competency platform aligned to the NIST NICE framework, and author of Governing AI at the Edge: An Operating Model for Citizen Development in the Enterprise.
How to connect Peter:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schawacker
Nearshore Cyber: https://nearshorecyber.com.mx |
ARAMIS Insight: https://project-aramis.com/insight
Email:
[email protected]Phone: +1 (760) 880-4258
Connect With Aaron Crow:
Website: www.corvosec.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrow
Learn more about PrOTect IT All:
Email:
[email protected] Website: https://protectitall.co/
X: https://twitter.com/protectitall
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrOTectITAll
FaceBook: https://facebook.com/protectitallpodcast
To be a guest or suggest a guest/episode, please email us at
[email protected]Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4
The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Aaron Crow, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
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