Month: July 2026

From Research to Reality: How Universities Are Driving Cybersecurity Forward (Ep. 11)

From Research to Reality: How Universities Are Driving Cybersecurity Forward (Ep. 11)

As organizations face growing cybersecurity hiring challenges, cybersecurity staffing shortages, and uncertainty around how AI will impact cybersecurity careers, security leaders are being forced to rethink how they recruit, develop, and retain talent.

In this episode, host Tony Pietrocola, President and Co-founder of AgileBlue, and co-host Joe Marquette, AgileBlue CEO and Co-founder, sit down with Julia Armstrong, Executive Director of the Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust at The Ohio State University, to discuss the cybersecurity talent shortage, skills-based hiring, workforce development, and the future of cybersecurity careers. Their conversation explores how universities, industry, and government can work together to prepare the next generation of cyber professionals and build stronger, more resilient security teams.

Key takeaways:

  • Why the cybersecurity talent shortage continues to impact organizations.
  • How skills-based hiring is changing cybersecurity recruitment.
  • What role AI may play in future cybersecurity careers.
  • Why workforce development is critical to cyber resilience.
  • How collaboration between academia, industry, and government can help close the cybersecurity skills gap.
  • And more!

Connect with Tony Pietrocola:

Connect with Joe Marquette:

Connect with Julia Armstrong:

What Cyber Psychology Teaches Us About Smarter Decision-Making ft. Rick Mishka (Ep. 10)

What Cyber Psychology Teaches Us About Smarter Decision-Making ft. Rick Mishka (Ep. 10)

Security incidents don’t usually start because someone is careless. They often start because someone is human, busy, tired, rushed, and trying to do the right thing.

In this conversation, Tony Pietrocola and Joe Marquette sit down with Rick Mischka, Head of Resilience and Senior Director of Education Enablement at AVANT Communications, to break down the psychology behind cybersecurity. They explore why people shouldn’t be dismissed as the “weakest link,” how attackers target attention and trust, and what leaders need to understand about building security programs around real human behavior.

Key takeaways:

  • How AI is accelerating cyber threats and security capabilities
  • Why the human element remains critical in cybersecurity
  • The role Zero Trust plays in reducing organizational risk
  • What business leaders should focus on as AI adoption grows
  • Practical ways to strengthen cyber resilience
  • And more!

Connect with Tony Pietrocola:

Connect with Joe Marquette:

Connect with Rick Mischka: