Why Securing AI Starts Before The Model - Hardshell

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Schoka, CEO and Co-Founder of Hardshell, live from RSA, to unpack one of the biggest challenges in AI today: how to use sensitive data without putting it at risk. Andrew shares his journey from offensive cyber operations in the military, working with the US Cyber Command, to building a startup focused on enabling safe AI adoption across industries like healthcare, finance, and defense. We dive into: • Why AI is only as powerful as the data behind it • The hidden risks of training models on sensitive information • The difference between AI for security vs security for AI • How Hardshell is tackling the problem at the data layer before models are even built • Why security should be seen as an enabler, not a blocker, for AI innovation This is a must-watch for founders, security leaders, and anyone navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape. If you're thinking about deploying AI in your organisation, this conversation will change how you think about risk, data, and what “secure by design” really means. Andrew's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-schoka/ Hardshell - https://hardshell.ai/ Steffen's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffenfoley/ Aspiron Search - https://aspironsearch.com/