Technical skills might get your attention - but soft skills build cybersecurity careers.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with technology leader and mentor Robert Whetstine for a candid conversation about what it really takes to succeed in today’s cybersecurity job market.

As AI reshapes hiring, the market becomes more crowded, and professionals struggle to stand out, Aaron and Robert explore the overlooked factors that often determine long-term success: adaptability, networking, authenticity, and communication.

This episode goes beyond résumés and certifications to focus on the human side of career growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why soft skills matter as much as technical ability in cybersecurity
• How networking and community create real career opportunities
• The impact of AI and oversaturation on the cybersecurity job market
• How to stand out without relying only on certifications
• Why adaptability and continuous learning are critical for long-term success
• Lessons on leadership, resilience, and professional growth from decades in tech

Whether you’re breaking into cybersecurity, navigating a career transition, or trying to stay relevant in a fast-changing industry, this episode delivers practical advice and honest insights for building a sustainable and rewarding career.

Tune in to learn why relationships, mindset, and adaptability are becoming the true differentiators in cybersecurity - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

07:31 Developing essential soft skills

11:44 Embracing leadership and failure

16:14 Evaluating candidates for fit

22:00 Building a career through networking

31:16 Taking risks and finding support

35:16 The importance of empathetic leadership

38:34 Networking for job opportunities

47:28 Discussing layoffs for AI investment

50:07 Concerns about infrastructure cost

53:40 Entering the tech industry

About the guest :

Rob Whetstine (#BowTieSecurityGuy) has been in the technology and Cyber Security space for the last two decades. Known for the Mentoring, Making and of course his nerdy bowties. Born with an obsession for problem-solving, Rob's journey into the world of technology began at a young age, where he spent countless hours tinkering with computers found in the trash.

When he was laid off a year ago from Disney after almost 20 years of service. He made it his mission to help people anyway he could. Those who were struggling in this job market and people new to Cyber. He started sharing videos on LinkedIn about his journey and sharing leadership stories. He has now started a podcast and mentors people all over the world.

How to connect Rob :

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowtiesecurityguy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bowtiesecurityguy

Connect With Aaron Crow:

• Website: www.corvosec.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrow

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

• Email: info@protectitall.co
• Website: https://protectitall.co/
• X: https://twitter.com/protectitall
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrOTec...

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: peter@nearshorecyber.com.mx

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: info@protectitall.co
• Websit...

AI is rapidly transforming cybersecurity but are critical infrastructure environments ready for what comes next?

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with longtime colleague and cybersecurity expert Clark Liu to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping both IT and OT security operations.

From incident response and compliance frameworks to workforce shifts and operational resilience, Aaron and Clark unpack the real-world opportunities and very real risks of integrating AI into industrial environments.

Together, they tackle the evolving role of frameworks like NERC CIP and NIST, the challenges of balancing compliance with actual security outcomes, and how organizations can responsibly adopt AI without increasing exposure.

You’ll learn:

• How AI is changing OT and IT cybersecurity operations
• The role of AI in incident response, documentation, and monitoring
• Why compliance frameworks alone don’t guarantee resilience
• The risks of adopting AI without strong operational foundations
• How organizations can prepare for AI-powered threats and workforce changes
• Practical insights for balancing innovation, budgets, and security priorities

Whether you’re leading OT security, managing critical infrastructure, or evaluating AI adoption in your organization, this episode delivers practical guidance for navigating cybersecurity’s next major shift.

Tune in to learn how AI is transforming cyber defense and what organizations must do to stay resilient only on Protect It All.

Key Moments;

05:33 Understanding cybersecurity compliance frameworks

07:11 Overlooked vulnerabilities in systems

09:59 Balancing multiple firewall vendors

15:17 Delegating tasks to AI

19:11 Importance of documenting commits

21:51 Hospital system shutdown crisis

25:11 AI uncovering software vulnerabilities

26:37 Engineers implementing AI in automation

31:26 AI tools and personal security

32:55 Password security practices

36:46 Using AI for basic tasks

39:38 Transition to off-the-shelf software

42:29 Going back to basics with appliances

47:02 Excitement About Future AI Capabilities

Guest Profile :

Clark Liu is a veteran OT cybersecurity expert and one of the original contributors to the NERC CIP standards. With nearly two decades in energy and critical infrastructure security - including leadership roles at EY and GALLO - Clark specializes in OT risk management, compliance strategy, and securing industrial operations from the plant floor to the cloud.

How to connect Clark:

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarkliu/

Connect With Aaron Crow:

• Website: www.corvosec.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronccrow

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

• Email: info@protectitall.co
• 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 sugg...