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:
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com