AI, Threat Hunters, and the New CISO Playbook | Mary Kotch on the Future of Cybersecurity

About this episode

Dr. Eric Cole interviews Mary Kotch about the future of cybersecurity and the evolving role of CISOs.

What does it really take to lead in cybersecurity today? In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole sits down with longtime cybersecurity executive and educator Mary Kotch for a sharp, honest conversation about the future of the industry. From breaking into the field to building a career that lasts, Mary shares why continuous learning, technical depth, and real-world experience matter more than ever. Together, they unpack the growing role of AI in both cyber defense and cyber attacks, why ethical hacking may be one of the most valuable skills professionals can develop, and what aspiring CISOs need to understand about the difference between technical work and executive leadership. If you want a real look at where cybersecurity is heading and how to stay ahead of it, this is an episode worth hearing.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Eric Cole

Guest: Mary Kotch

Topics covered

• cybersecurity leadership
• AI in cybersecurity
• ethical hacking
• career development
• CISO roles

Keywords

• cybersecurity
• CISO
• AI
• ethical hacking
• career development
• technical skills
• leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: cybersecurity, AI, ethical hacking

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