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...

AI agents are changing cybersecurity faster than most organizations can adapt.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow welcomes back cybersecurity veteran Ken Foster for a deep dive into how AI is reshaping risk, identity, and resilience across IT and OT environments.

With more than 30 years of experience spanning the Navy, manufacturing, fintech, government programs, and startups, Ken brings a grounded, real-world perspective on what organizations are getting right and dangerously wrong about AI adoption.

Together, Aaron and Ken explore the growing challenges around AI agents, identity governance, shadow AI, compliance, and attribution in highly regulated industries. As AI tools become embedded into workflows and decision-making, organizations must rethink how they manage access, monitor activity, and maintain resilience against rapidly evolving threats.

You’ll learn:

• Why AI agents introduce new identity and governance risks
• The dangers of shadow AI inside enterprise environments
• How AI impacts compliance, attribution, and accountability
• Why foundational practices like patching, segmentation, and documentation still matter
• The role of continuous monitoring in AI-driven environments
• How organizations can balance innovation with resilience and control

Whether you’re leading cybersecurity strategy, managing critical infrastructure, or navigating AI adoption inside regulated environments, this episode delivers practical insights for securing the next generation of digital operations.

Tune in to learn how AI is transforming cybersecurity - and what leaders must do to stay ahead - only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

07:47 AI guardrails discussion

12:02 Patching and network segmentation

20:44 AI changing job roles

24:24 FISMA and FedRAMP concerns

29:18 Emergency response planning

35:36 Choosing the right tech team

37:14 Discussing accountability and risk

46:31 Developer access problems

51:50 AI Dependence Risks

57:36 AI in pen testing

58:55 AI in risk prevention

About the guest :

Ken Foster is a veteran cybersecurity leader with 25+ years of experience in enterprise security, risk governance, and global infrastructure strategy. Currently Head of Global Architecture at Adient, Ken has previously led cybersecurity and compliance programs at Fleetcor and Fiserv, specializing in IAM, cloud security, regulatory compliance, and risk-based cybersecurity strategy. He is known for helping organizations balance innovation, resilience, and operational execution in highly regulated environments.

How to connect Ken: http://linkedin.com/in/kennethfoster/

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: http...

Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology - it’s about people.

In this episode of Protect It All, host Aaron Crow sits down with Sean Tufts for a conversation that goes far beyond tools and tactics. From the locker room to control rooms, Sean shares how his journey from professional football to OT cybersecurity shaped his approach to trust, teamwork, and leadership.

Together, they unpack one of the biggest challenges in OT environments: building trust between IT and OT teams. Because without trust, even the best tools fail.

You’ll learn:

• Why trust is the foundation of OT cybersecurity success
• How to bridge the gap between IT teams and engineers
• The role of communication and empathy in security programs
• Real-world lessons from segmentation failures and hidden network risks
• Why diversity and teamwork drive stronger security outcomes
• How leadership mindset shapes resilience in high-stakes environments

Whether you’re leading cybersecurity, working in OT environments, or building cross-functional teams, this episode delivers practical insights on the human side of security—where real progress happens.

Tune in to learn why the strongest cybersecurity programs are built on people, not just platforms only on Protect It All.

Key Moments:

05:11 Importance of communication in tech

06:58 Learning from early career mistakes

11:40 Implementing network scanning in OT environments

15:50 Debating project priorities in cybersecurity

18:24 Improving system reliability and ROI

20:28 Convincing plants to self-fund projects

26:21 Creating layered RACI charts

26:57 Discussing people, process, and technology

31:15 Easy validations and big risks

34:35 Operators' productivity challenges

37:21 Network security in hospitals

42:25 Creating a safe network environment

43:10 Addressing network configuration issues

46:55 Different types of AI users

About the guest :

Sean Tufts is Field CTO at Claroty and a cybersecurity leader with deep expertise in industrial environments. With leadership roles at GE and Optiv, he has helped asset-intensive industries navigate the intersection of OT, IT, and cyber risk. Before cybersecurity, Sean was a standout linebacker and team captain at the University of Colorado and went on to play in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers bringing the same discipline, teamwork, and leadership mindset to securing critical infrastructure today.

How to connect Sean :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-tufts-36b4909/

Website: https://claroty.com/

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 s...