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:

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:

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

To be a guest or suggest a guest/episode, please email us at [email protected]

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Apple   - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4