The Cyber Executive

How do you separate AI hype from real business value? Marc Ashworth sits down with Ken McLoud of Laconic Tech to discuss practical AI adoption, workflow automation, ROI measurement, business bottlenecks, and how organizations can identify the highest-impact AI opportunities. This episode focuses on solving business problems first and using AI as the accelerator—not the objective.

The cybersecurity industry continues to talk about talentshortages, but what does that really mean in an AI-driven world? Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth sits down withRich Temple and Montez Fitzpatrick to discuss cybersecurity hiring, workforce development, internships, leadership, AI, and the future of cybersecuritycareers. The conversation explores how organizations can continuedevel...

AI is creating new opportunities for business, but it also introduces new challenges around data protection, governance, visibility, and resilience. Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth speaks with Sean Mullins of Cass Bank about securing AI usage, the limitations of traditional DLP, employee training, vulnerability management, and why organizations may need to shift their mindset from preve...

What happens when AI starts performing the tasks that traditionally helped cybersecurity professionals learn their craft? Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth sits down with Kristi Cook and Travis Nichols to discuss how AI is transforming cybersecurity careers, workforce development, hiring practices, and leadership pipelines. The conversation explores why curiosity, mentorship, internships,...

AI is changing cybersecurity faster than most organizations realize. Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth speaks with Yair Sabin CEO of Air Security about how artificial intelligence is accelerating exploit development, reducing attacker timelines, and creating new challenges for enterprise vulnerability management. Yair shares insights from offensive security research and discusses why orga...

Technology is changing faster than most employees can keep up. Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth speaks with Josh Bloss about the future of cybersecurity awareness, identity security, OAuth risks, AI adoption, and how organizations can balance innovation with risk management. Josh explains why defining "normal" behavior is becoming more important than ever and how security leade...

When a cyber incident occurs, leadership matters as much as technology. Recorded live at GPSEC 2026, Marc Ashworth sits down with Brian Lourie to discuss how organizations can prepare for ransomware attacks, build effective tabletop exercises, improve incident response processes, and lead through the uncertainty of a major cyber event. Brian shares practical insights on executive decision-making,...

Recorded live at GPSEC St. Louis, Marc Ashworth sits down with Andrew Wilder to discuss the future of cyber leadership in the age of AI. From shifting security teams from the “Department of No” to the “Department of Yes,” to building stronger teams through diverse thinking and empowerment, this episode explores what modern cybersecurity leadership really requires. Andrew also shares insights on: E...

The impact of ransomware is changing. Here Zach Lewis' take on how this is changing. The recording is live from GPSec St. Louis 2026 hosted by Guidepoint Security

The role of the CISO is no longer just about protecting systems. It’s about leading the business through risk. In this episode, Marc Ashworth and Montez Fitzpatrick explore the evolution of cybersecurity leadership, the challenges CISOs face in gaining executive influence, and why understanding the business is more critical than ever. From reporting structures and budget myths to AI’s impact on th...

Would you know if your company—or your family—was being targeted right now? In this episode of The Cyber Executive , host Marc Ashworth sits down with former U.S. Secret Service agent Tim Reboulet to break down real-world security strategies that go beyond technology. This conversation bridges the gap between cybersecurity and physical security , giving leaders and families practical steps to stay...

In this episode, your host Marc Ashworth speaks with Alon Neuhaus, CEO of Astelia, shares insights from his extensive experience in cybersecurity, including leading national red teams, building trust with industry leaders, and the evolving threats posed by AI and nation-state actors. Discover how organizations can enhance their security posture in a rapidly changing landscape.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth welcomes Terry Green-Mason, Vice President of Technology at Elevate, to discuss the critical intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Teri introduces her innovative framework, TEST, which stands for Touch, Execute, Store, and Trust, designed to help organizations navigate the complexities of AI security. She highlights the prevalent g...

Are you ready to embrace the future of coding?  AI is democratizing development, allowing anyone to create software! But with this power comes new risks. 🔒  In the latest episode of #TheCyberExecutive , host Marc Ashworth and Shahar Bahat of Pluto Security dive into how AI coding can change our security landscape! What are your thoughts? Is the risk worth the reward?

In this episode of the Cyber Executive, host Marc Ashworthand guest Kristi Cook, Director of Global Cybersecurity at Peabody Energy, discuss the intersection of cybersecurity, data protection, and AI. They emphasize the importance of foundational data protection as the basis for secure AI implementation, the need for organizations to identify and classify their data, and the significance of buildi...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth and guest Tina Lampe with DirectTV as they explore the transformative impact of AI on cybersecurity, highlighting how it lowers the barrier for sophisticated attacks, erodes digital identity foundations, and introduces new attack vectors. Tina Lampe discusses the implications of AI-generated malware, data mining for intellectual pr...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive podcast, host Marc Ashworth engages with Dr. Johannes Ulrich, a professor at the SANS Institute and host of the ISE Stormcast podcast. They discuss the persistent threat of legacy vulnerabilities, the importance of operationalizing threat intelligence, and the challenges small organizations face in cybersecurity. The conversation also touches on the evolving...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with James Pham, CEO of Opsin, about the pressing challenges and opportunities in securing AI systems. They discuss the unique risks associated with AI, including data poisoning and the need for robust governance. The conversation also covers the importance of collaboration across the cybersecurity industry, the evolving rol...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth and guest Kelly Miller discuss the intersection of AI, data privacy, and crisis management. They explore the risks AI poses to organizations, the importance of balancing innovation with public trust, and the necessity of transparency in AI communications. Kelly emphasizes the need for organizations to prepare for public scrutiny an...

In this episode of The Cyber Executive, host Marc Ashworth and guest Nathan Reller with Ginger Cybersecurity discuss the complexities of cybersecurity, focusing on unnecessary complexity in IT systems, the challenges faced by SOC analysts, and the benefits of immutable infrastructure. They explore the implications of non-deterministic systems, the importance of applying the principle of least priv...

Teamwork is critical, whether you are climbing Denali or planning scenarios of a nuclear attack with NATO partners. John Graham has done it all. Check out the latest episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth interviews John Graham, an author, adventurer, and former diplomat. They discuss Graham's remarkable experiences, including climbing Denali, working with Senator John Glen...

Questions about AI? In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth engages with Dr. Asaf Manila from the Washington University to discuss the current state and future of artificial intelligence (AI). They explore the evolution of AI, its technical limitations, ethical considerations regarding human-like qualities, the challenges of AI hallucinations and biases, sustainability c...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host MarcAshworth speaks with renowned cryptologist Dr. Peter Gutmann about the current state of quantum cryptography and its implications for cybersecurity. They discuss the limitations of quantum computing, the reality behind quantum factorization claims, and the ongoing challenges in the field of cryptography. Dr. Gutmann emphasizes the need to ad...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth engages with Gretchen Pettet, Assistant Vice President and Senior Talent Development at Commerce Bank, discussing the intricacies of leadership, mentoring, and effective communication. They explore the importance of building trust within teams, the necessity of clear communication, and the courage to have candid conversations, espe...

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Tom Bakewell about the critical role of cybersecurity in board governance. They discuss the importance of technology in board discussions, the qualifications needed for board members, and the essential elements of high-performance boards. Tom emphasizes the need for a committed CEO, effective board leadership, and the s...