Cybersecurity has evolved from an afterthought to a business-critical responsibility - and AI is accelerating that shift faster than most organizations are ready for.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Sue McTaggart, a cybersecurity leader with a software development background and more than 15 years of experience driving security transformation. Together, they explore how cybersecurity success today depends less on shiny new tools and more on culture, governance, and fundamentals done right.

Sue shares her journey from developer to cybersecurity leader, offering real-world insights into embedding security thinking into everyday work - not bolting it on after something breaks. The conversation tackles the realities of AI adoption, the risks of over-automation, and why human oversight and curiosity remain essential in an increasingly automated world.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re a security leader, technologist, or business decision-maker navigating AI adoption, this episode delivers grounded, practical wisdom for building resilience that lasts.

Tune in to learn why strong cybersecurity still starts with people, not platform,s only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

01:12 Cybersecurity Evolution and Insights

03:51 "Cybersecurity Requires Culture Shift"

07:09 "Tech Failures and Curfew Challenges"

10:30 "Prioritizing Security in AI Development"

15:05 Cybersecurity's Role in Everything

19:37 "Everything is Sales"

23:54 Adapting Communication for Audiences

26:26 "Think Ahead, Stay Curious."

28:30 Tinkering and Curiosity Unleashed

31:32 "Gen Z: Redefining Work and Life."

36:17 Governing AI: Benefits and Risks

37:59 AI Needs Human Oversight

42:35 "AI's Role in Cybersecurity."

47:25 "Hackers Exploit Basic Vulnerabilities."

About the guest:

Sue McTaggart is a passionate educator and cybersecurity professional with a strong background in software development. Her curiosity and desire to raise awareness led her to transition from developing applications primarily in languages like Java in the early 2000s to the field of cybersecurity. Sue is dedicated to empowering others through education and strives to share her knowledge to help others better understand cybersecurity risks and solutions. She is honored and humbled by opportunities to speak about her work and continues to inspire those around her with her commitment to ongoing learning and public awareness.

How to connect Sue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-mctaggart-24604158/

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]

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 future of cybersecurity won’t be won by tools alone - it will be won by people, process, and smarter use of AI.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with cybersecurity veteran Sharad Rai to explore how IT and OT security teams can reduce complexity, fight alert fatigue, and build stronger defenses through foundational practices and intelligent automation.

Sharad brings decades of real-world experience - from early firewall management to leading large-scale security programs at major financial institutions. Together, Aaron and Sharad break down what actually works in cybersecurity today: simplifying policies, understanding user behavior, strengthening basics like patching, and leveraging AI for contextual decision-making.

You’ll learn:

Whether you're a security leader, practitioner, or just navigating modern cyber challenges, this episode will reshape how you think about defending systems and the people using them.

Tune in to discover how AI, clarity, and human-centered design are shaping cybersecurity’s next chapter only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

06:21 "Cybersecurity Basics: Know the Layers"

09:49 "Defining Good to Block Bad"

13:03 Alarm Fatigue and Information Overload

14:01 Alarm Tuning and Data Utilization

19:02 RFID Tags and Process Frustration

23:03 Simplifying Cybersecurity for Success

25:18 "AI Optimizing Policy Adjustments"

27:33 "Tech Frustrations Then and Now"

31:46 Cloud Computing Transformed Everyday Work

36:05 Focus on Foundational Basics

About the guest : 

Sharad Rai is a cybersecurity leader and architect with over 20 years of experience securing some of the world’s most complex financial institutions. As Vice President of Security and Architecture at State Street, he leads regulatory-driven initiatives and delivers enterprise-wide cybersecurity programs across cloud, infrastructure, and endpoint platforms. Sharad has held key security roles at Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, Jefferies, and Foundation Medicine, with deep expertise in EDR, PAM, SASE, ZTNA, and cloud-native security. He is known for simplifying complexity, reducing risk, and bridging product, engineering, and executive teams.

How to connect Sharad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharad-rai-cissp-a951a28

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]

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

Cyber incidents don’t just test your technology - they test your people, your processes, and your culture.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Daniel Swann, Cyber Incident Commander at Rockwell Automation, to pull back the curtain on what really happens during IT and OT incidents. With decades of experience across the U.S. Air Force, enterprise environments, and industrial operations, Daniel shares lessons learned the hard way - from managing chaos in real time to building a culture where teams can learn without blame.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re developing your first IR playbook or leading seasoned response teams, this episode delivers actionable, real-world insights that help you prepare, respond, and recover with confidence.

Tune in for battle-tested wisdom from military operations to industrial control rooms - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

00:00 "Protect IT/OT Cybersecurity Podcast"

03:30 Cybersecurity: Versatility Is Key

07:52 "Balancing Bureaucracy and Flexibility"

10:20 "Practice Makes Plans Effective"

14:17 "Learning While Doing"

18:44 "Document Key Info in Incidents"

19:46 "Versatile Team Role Importance"

22:45 "Tracking Lessons with Visibility"

28:34 Proactive Reporting Encouraged

29:33 Safe Reporting Prevents Phishing Incidents

32:52 "Bridging IT and OT Safely"

37:15 Team Collaboration Enhances Outcomes

41:00 Military Preparedness and Logistics Planning

42:59 Preparing for Unlikely Scenarios

47:20 AI Threats to OT Systems

48:32 "AI's Impact on Learning and Jobs"

About the guest: 

Daniel Swann is a seasoned Cyber Incident Commander at Rockwell Automation, bringing 17+ years of IT leadership and nearly a decade of cybersecurity experience. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he has led global cyber operations, responded to major vulnerabilities like Log4J, and driven large-scale improvements in incident response and vulnerability management. Daniel is highly certified, mission-driven, and recognized for building strong, resilient security teams.

Links : 

Video of Daniel Swann with Kate Vajda, Director of Vulnerability Research and Malware Threat Research, Dragos : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zotgrPk8vI

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-daniel-swann/

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]

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 cybersecurity job market is changing faster than ever - and the skills that mattered five years ago won’t carry you into the future.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Mark Sasson, Managing Partner at Pinpoint Search Group, to break down what the future of cybersecurity careers really looks like. From the rise of AI and automation to the growing importance of human skills, they uncover the new realities facing candidates, hiring managers, and leaders across IT and OT security.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re entering cybersecurity, leveling up your role, or hiring your next team member, this episode delivers real-world, actionable insights to help you stay relevant  - and competitive in an evolving industry.

Tune in to learn how to stay ahead in the cybersecurity job market of today and tomorrow  only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

04:14 Recruitment Growth and Funding Trends

06:42 Tangible Value in AI Age

12:18 "Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone"

15:16 "Growth Through Embracing Discomfort"

19:23 "Embracing Growth and New Challenges"

21:01 Balancing Growth and Bold Moves

25:14 "Breaking Into Tech: Sacrifice & Strategy"

27:40 Experience Beats Book Knowledge

32:13 Human Insight Beats AI in Hiring

34:45 AI Recruitment: Potential, Limits, Distinctions

39:37 "Reluctant Growth through Opportunity"

42:47 "AI Tools: Benefits and Downsides"

44:29 "Human-Centered Hiring Over AI"

50:12 "Human Connection Over Technology"

53:23 "Planning Your Next Step"

About the guest: 

Mark Sasson is the Managing Partner of Pinpoint Search Group, a recruitment firm specializing in helping innovators in emerging markets attract the talent needed to drive maturation, scale, and successful outcomes. In 2014, Mark launched Pinpoint’s Cybersecurity practice, where he and his team have successfully completed hundreds of executive and senior-level individual contributor searches for leading Cybersecurity vendors. Building on that success, Mark is now guiding Pinpoint’s expansion into the rapidly evolving Space sector.

Connect Mark: 

Website: https://pinpointsearchgroup.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/markjsasson/
Learn more about Cybersecurity Vendor M&A + Funding Roundups here : https://pinpointsearchgroup.com/cybersecurity-industry-reports/

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]

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

Can your plant stay connected and completely secure?

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow teams up with Lior Frenkel, CEO and co-founder of Waterfall Security, to explore how industries are rethinking OT cybersecurity in the age of ransomware and AI-powered attacks. Together, they break down why traditional firewalls can’t fully protect industrial control systems and how unidirectional gateways (data diodes) are redefining safety for everything from nuclear plants to casinos.

You’ll learn:

Whether you manage critical infrastructure, handle OT security, or just want to understand how cyber-physical systems stay safe, this episode will give you a new appreciation for data flow, digital risk, and resilience.

Tune in to discover the future of secure connectivity - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

07:46 Balancing Security and Operational Data

16:25 "One-Way Data Flow Explained"

22:19 "Air Gap for Data Transfer"

27:44 Increasing Awareness of Security Threats

32:05 Challenges of Power Plant Management

35:29 Global Risks Require Local Understanding

44:44 "OT Security and Zero Trust"

48:24 "Remote Access vs On-Site Work"

55:48 "HERA: TPM-Powered Remote Access"

58:43 Encrypted Remote Access Streaming

01:05:32 Secure Remote Control for Infrastructure

01:13:00 "Solving Critical Incident Response Gaps"

About the Guest :
Lior Frenkel is a globally recognized OT cybersecurity leader and the CEO/co-founder of Waterfall Security Solutions, the company behind the industry-standard Unidirectional Security Gateways protecting critical infrastructure worldwide. With 25+ years of cybersecurity expertise, multiple patents, and leadership roles across Israel’s top technology, industrial, and export organizations, Lior is a key voice shaping the future of industrial cyber defense and national cyber strategy.

How to connect Lior:

Website: https://waterfall-security.com/
LinkdIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lior-frenkel-91534/

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]

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

What happens when AI meets cybersecurity - and the music industry?

In this eye-opening episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Hadi Heidari, a cybersecurity veteran turned tech entrepreneur, to explore the groundbreaking (and sometimes risky) ways artificial intelligence is reshaping both digital defense and creative innovation.

From AI-driven SOC operations and threat detection to music creation, data privacy, and identity protection, Aaron and Hadi dive deep into how the same technologies fueling creativity are also rewriting the rules of cybersecurity.

You’ll discover:

Whether you’re protecting critical infrastructure or composing your next track, this episode will challenge how you think about creativity, ethics, and security in the AI era.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that bridges tech and artistry, only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

06:34 AI: Opportunities and Regulation Challenges

09:57 AI Risks: Data Privacy Challenges

11:03 AI Education for Security Awareness

15:50 "AI Risks in Cybersecurity Actions"

18:54 "AI Trust and IAM Policies"

21:13 AI Decision-Making Ethical Dilemma

27:19 AI Oversight and Quality Control

30:34 AI Ethics in Data Training

31:30 AI Ethics: Consent and Data Use

35:43 Detecting AI-Generated Fakes

37:59 AI, Security, and Challenges

42:33 AI Revolutionizing Security Analysis

47:14 "Learning Daily in Tech Space"

50:58 "Embracing Change in Music Industry"

About the guest : 

Hadi Heidari is the founder of TunePact, an AI label service designed to support independent musicians. With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, Hadi’s journey into the music industry is an unusual one. While he continues to work as a governance and compliance advisor in cybersecurity, his move to Los Angeles inspired him to bridge his technical background with his passion for music. His unique blend of expertise in technology and creativity now helps empower indie artists in today’s digital landscape.

How to connect Hadi : 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadihheidari/

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]

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

Think your company’s private data is safe? Think again.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow pulls back the curtain on one of cybersecurity’s most underestimated frontiers - Open Source Intelligence. He reveals how attackers leverage publicly available data from LinkedIn profiles to leak passwords, mapping out targets, infiltrating systems, and exploiting the human attack surface.

Drawing from real-world incidents and years of experience across IT and OT security, Aaron explains:

Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional, executive, or simply digital-curious, this episode will change how you think about “public information.”

Tune in to learn how Open Source Intelligence can both expose and empower your cybersecurity strategy - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments: 

06:17 Securing Domain Admin Accounts

09:09 Proactive Employee Security Monitoring

12:19 "Protecting Human Attack Surfaces"

16:48 "Enhancing Cybersecurity with Open Source Intelligence”

18:49 Exposed Data Response Process

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]

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

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow takes a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots in OT cybersecurity: legacy Windows environments still running inside plants, refineries, and utilities. From Windows XP to Windows 10’s upcoming end of support, Aaron breaks down why these systems persist, the true cost of “doing nothing,” and the high-stakes trade-offs between replacement, isolation, and risk mitigation.

You’ll discover:

Whether you’re a cybersecurity leader, plant manager, or operations engineer, this episode is your roadmap to making smarter, safer decisions about legacy systems before they cause costly disruptions.

Tune in to learn how to balance operations, cost, and security and protect your OT world from old-system vulnerabilities.

Key Moments: 

01:22 "End-of-Life Systems in OT"

04:15 Upgrading Systems in Regulated Industries

07:35 Reducing Risk with Network Segmentation

12:02 "Firewall Rules and System Security"

15:52 Understanding Risks in End-of-Life Systems

18:54 Securing Legacy Systems Effectively

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]

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

In this solo episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow delivers a straight-talk reality check on the widening IT–OT cybersecurity gap and what it really takes to protect the systems that keep the world running. With decades of experience defending critical infrastructure, Aaron exposes why many OT environments are still years behind in resilience and visibility - and how we can finally fix that.

You’ll learn:

This episode isn’t about fear - it’s about preparation. If your work touches energy, transportation, manufacturing, or utilities, this one’s your wake-up call to act before disaster hits.

Listen now and learn how to protect what truly keeps our world moving - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

05:06 "Real Risks of Critical Disruptions"

06:16 Redefining OT System Boundaries

11:42 Troubleshooting Unknown System Issues

14:09 "Secure Remote Access Best Practices"

18:28 "Planning for Worst-Case Scenarios"

19:36 Critical Infrastructure Under Cyber Threat

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]

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

OT cybersecurity isn’t about installing more firewalls - it’s about adapting your entire mindset.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow breaks down why IT security tools often fall short in industrial environments and what it really takes to protect operational systems. Drawing from 25+ years of hands-on experience, Aaron explores the differences between IT and OT priorities, why “silver bullet” solutions don’t exist, and how to build defense-in-depth strategies that actually work on the plant floor.

You’ll discover:

If you’re navigating the evolving world of industrial cybersecurity, this episode will change how you think about tools, processes, and protection.

Tune in to learn how to bridge the IT–OT divide and build a smarter, safer security culture.

Key Moments:

03:31 "Adapting IT Products for OT Use"

08:53 IT and OT Crossover Tools

11:05 Balancing OT Risk in Cybersecurity

13:37 Cybersecurity and Remote Secure Access

18:25 Designing Resilient, Independent Systems

21:40 Unified Cybersecurity Through Training & Collaboration

24:24 "IT and OT Integration Challenges"

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]

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