In this must-listen episode of The Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, host Chris Foulon sits down with Dr. Mike Saylor, one of the nation’s leading voices in cybersecurity workforce development and threat defense.
Dr. Saylor wears many hats in the cybersecurity landscape:
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CEO of Blackswan Cybersecurity, a premier managed cybersecurity services provider for K12 and mid-market organizations
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Professor of Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
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Executive Director at the Cyber Defense Center
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Infragard North Texas – Sector Chief (Healthcare)
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Fusion Liaison Officer at the North Central Texas Fusion Center
With decades of experience at the intersection of cybersecurity operations, education, and public-private collaboration, Dr. Saylor brings a well-rounded perspective to one of the industry’s most urgent challenges: the cybersecurity workforce gap.
🔐 Episode Highlights:
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The misalignment between cybersecurity job requirements and the real-world skills of college graduates
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Why many cyber job descriptions are outdated, inflated, or unrealistic, and how this discourages otherwise qualified talent
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The disconnect between employer expectations and training programs—and how frameworks like NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education) can help
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Actionable advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals on certifications, hands-on experience, and career planning
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How Blackswan Cybersecurity is helping close the workforce gap through mentorship, internships, and real-world readiness
This episode is packed with insights for cyber recruiters, employers, students, and career changers who want to better understand the cybersecurity talent shortage, what’s causing it, and how to fix it.