The Watchers

Vicky Pillitteri on risk management, AI security, and the future of cybersecurity standards

Andy Sauer sits down with Vicky Pillitteri from National Institute of Standards and Technology to discuss the intent behind NIST cybersecurity standards, the evolution of CMMC, continuous monitoring, and why compliance alone does not equal security. They also explore how NIST is approaching AI security, machine-readable cybersecurity documentation, and the growing challenge of managing cyber risk in an increasingly connected world. MORE FROM VICKY PILLITTERI https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriayanpillitteri/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERS Website: The Watchers Website LinkedIn: The Watchers LinkedIn Sentinel Blue: Sentinel Blue LinkedIn Instagram: The Watchers Instagram JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORD The Watchers Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCAST RSS Feed: The Watchers RSS Feed Episodes: The Watchers Episodes CONNECT WITH ANDY LinkedIn: Andy Sauer LinkedIn PRODUCED BY Sentinel Blue PRODUCTION TEAM Brand Ready Media #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #CMMC #NIST #RiskManagement #AISecurity #Compliance #CyberRisk

Jen Sovada on OT complexity, human-centered cybersecurity, and the global skills gap

Jen Sovada joins Andy Sauer to explore the hidden complexity of operational technology and why securing it requires more than technical expertise. They discuss the global nature of OT systems, the role of language and culture in cybersecurity, and how technology is reshaping human capability. The conversation also dives into workforce challenges and why the biggest risks today sit at the intersection of people, process, and technology. MORE FROM JEN SOVADA https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensovada/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERS Website: https://thewatchers.io [https://thewatchers.io/]LinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedin [https://thewatchers.io/linkedin]Sentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linked [https://sblu.us/linked]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/] JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORD https://thewatchers.io/Discord [https://thewatchers.io/Discord] GET THE AUDIO PODCAST RSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feed [https://thewatchers.io/feed]Episodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes [https://thewatchers.io/episodes] CONNECT WITH ANDY LinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy [https://sblu.us/Andy] PRODUCED BY https://www.sentinelblue.com [https://www.sentinelblue.com/] PRODUCTION TEAM https://www.brandready.com/ [https://www.brandready.com/] Hashtags #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #OTsecurity #criticalinfrastructure #cyberworkforce #infosec

Mary Brooks on Cyber Assistance, Supply Chains, and the Fracturing of Digital Trust

Cybersecurity isn’t just technical — it’s geopolitical. In this episode, Mary Brooks joins Andy to examine how U.S. cyber assistance, digital trust, and supply chain security are evolving. They unpack shifting government structures, leadership gaps, unpredictability in policy, and what it means for allies. From sovereign AI to interdependent infrastructure, this conversation explores where cyber strategy meets global power — and why stability matters more than ever. MORE FROM MARY BROOKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-b-7978497b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-b-7978497b/] FOLLOW THE WATCHERS Website: https://thewatchers.io [https://thewatchers.io/]LinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedin [https://thewatchers.io/linkedin]Sentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linked [https://sblu.us/linked]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/] JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORD https://thewatchers.io/Discord [https://thewatchers.io/Discord] GET THE AUDIO PODCAST RSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feed [https://thewatchers.io/feed]Episodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes [https://thewatchers.io/episodes] CONNECT WITH ANDY LinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy [https://sblu.us/Andy] PRODUCED BY https://www.sentinelblue.com [https://www.sentinelblue.com/] PRODUCTION TEAM https://www.brandready.com/ [https://www.brandready.com/] #nationalsecurity #cyberpolicy #supplychainsecurity #digitalsovereignty #AIpolicy #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #cyberwarfare #criticalinfrastructure #foreignpolicy #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #marybrooks #andysauer

Matt Lee on the cybersecurity poverty line, insurance risk shifts, and systemic failure

Matt Lee breaks down a hard truth: much of the market is operating below a viable cybersecurity baseline. He explains the concept of the “cybersecurity poverty line,” how managed service agreements often mask unmitigated risk, and why insurers are shifting responsibility downstream. This conversation explores the economic realities behind cyber risk and what it means for resilience across SMBs, MSPs, and the broader ecosystem. MORE FROM MATT LEE https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybermattlee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybermattlee/] FOLLOW THE WATCHERS Website: https://thewatchers.io [https://thewatchers.io/]LinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedin [https://thewatchers.io/linkedin]Sentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linked [https://sblu.us/linked]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/] JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORD https://thewatchers.io/Discord [https://thewatchers.io/Discord] GET THE AUDIO PODCAST RSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feed [https://thewatchers.io/feed]Episodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes [https://thewatchers.io/episodes] CONNECT WITH ANDY LinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy [https://sblu.us/Andy] PRODUCED BY https://www.sentinelblue.com [https://www.sentinelblue.com/] PRODUCTION TEAM https://www.brandready.com/ [https://www.brandready.com/] #TheWatchersPodcast #sentinelblue #cybersecurity #cyberdefense #cyberrisk #infosec #MSP #cyberinsurance #SMBsecurity

Anna Wheeler on breaking barriers, leadership under fire, and cyber's evolution

Episode Description (75 words) From helicopter gunner to cybersecurity strategist, Anna Wheeler’s career bridges the kinetic and digital battlefields. Andy and Anna explore her journey through the military, the lessons of leadership under pressure, and the evolving frontlines of cyber defense. She shares insight into breaking barriers, mentoring the next generation, and why optimism still drives her in a field defined by constant threats. MORE FROM ANNA WHEELER https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-wheeler-ssaw/ FOLLOW THE WATCHERS Website: https://thewatchers.io LinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedin Sentinel Blue: https://sblu.us/linked Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORD https://thewatchers.io/Discord GET THE AUDIO PODCAST RSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feed Episodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodes CONNECT WITH ANDY LinkedIn: https://sblu.us/Andy PRODUCED BY https://www.sentinelblue.com PRODUCTION TEAM https://www.brandready.com/ Hashtags: #veteransintech #cyberstrategy #womenincyber #militaryleadership #defenseinnovation #futureofwarfare #operationaltechnology #cyberresilience #thewatcherspodcast #sentinelblue #andysauer #annawheeler