ClearTech Loop: In the Know, On the Move

Gerry Gadoury: AI Security is Risk Leadership Problem First

March 13, 2026
AI Security is a Risk Leadership Problem First

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the ClearTech Loop podcast, Jo Peterson sits down with Gerry Gadoury, Founder and CEO of RedBeard Solutions, to talk about what AI means for security leaders who are already balancing risk, business pressure, and fast moving technology shifts. 

This is not a conversation about chasing the latest AI headline. It is a conversation about judgment. Gerry’s core message is that security leaders need to focus on real risk, not theoretical panic, while also helping the business stay aligned as the AI landscape changes by the quarter. 

The conversation also gets practical about leadership. Security cannot just be pushed downhill as a mandate. If leaders want adoption, accountability, and stronger decisions, they need alignment across the business before a crisis forces the issue. That is why the modern CISO role increasingly looks like a risk leadership role, not just a technical one. 

Three Big Questions

1. How should security leaders think about AI risk without getting lost in hype? 

Gerry’s answer is direct: do real risk assessments. The goal is not to hunt for every hypothetical worst case. It is to identify the risks that are most likely, most material, and most relevant to the business. 

That distinction matters because AI has created a lot of noise in the market. Security teams still need urgency, but they also need discipline. Real progress happens when leaders separate probable threats from vague fear and build controls around what actually matters. 

2. Why does executive alignment matter so much in AI security? 

Jo raised the example of ransomware tabletop exercises where leaders across the organization all believed their function should be restored first. That disconnect is exactly why security leadership cannot live in a purely technical lane. 

Runbooks and playbooks matter, but they do not replace shared business priorities. Gerry makes the case that security should not simply be mandated and pushed downhill. The better path is understanding executive concerns, reducing resistance, and getting leaders aligned around outcomes before the pressure hits. 

3. How is AI changing the threat landscape for CISOs? 

One of Gerry’s sharper points is that AI lowers the barrier for attackers. What once required deeper technical skill is becoming more accessible and more scalable, which means old assumptions about attacker capability no longer hold. 

That is part of why staying current is not optional. Gerry notes that the AI landscape changes by the quarter, and security leaders need credible partners, vendors, and internal processes that help them adapt without turning every conversation into noise. 

“When you mandatorily push it downhill, I think people are going to resist.” 

— Gerry Gadoury, Founder & CEO, RedBeard Solutions

What You Will Learn

  • Why AI security starts with real risk assessment, not theoretical panic 
  • Why executive alignment matters as much as technical controls 
  • How the CISO role is shifting toward business risk leadership 
  • Why AI lowers the bar for attackers and raises the pressure on security teams 
  • Why human behavior, fear, and resistance still shape security outcomes 

The other aspect is really understanding why they are nervous, mitigating that fear, and getting them aligned and excited.” 

— Gerry Gadoury, Founder & CEO, RedBeard Solutions

About the Guest | Gerry Gadoury

Gerry Gadoury is the Founder and CEO of RedBeard Solutions, an SBA certified service disabled veteran owned professional services firm focused on cybersecurity and technology talent in the federal and private sectors. He is also the author of Destination Employer and brings a practical leadership perspective shaped by years of helping organizations attract, recruit, and retain top talent while navigating business growth and operational complexity. 

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