The Long Ride Home Through AI, Cybersecurity and Retirement

Note from the Editor: 

As this issue goes to press, we also mark the close of an extraordinary chapter. After more than two decades of sharing his insight, perspective, and unmistakable sense of humor with our readers, John McCumber is stepping away from his regular column in Security Executive.

John has always had a rare gift. He could tackle the most complex cybersecurity and risk management challenges with the authority of a true expert while making them engaging, relatable, and often downright entertaining. His columns never simply informed—they started conversations, challenged assumptions, and reminded us that even in a business built around threats and vulnerabilities, there is always room for curiosity and a well-placed laugh.

On a personal note, I want to thank John for his friendship over the years. It has been a privilege to work alongside him, to exchange ideas, and to watch his influence help shape both this publication and our industry. While this may be his final column, his voice, wisdom, and legacy will remain a lasting part of Security Executive. On behalf of our entire team and generations of loyal readers, thank you, John. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

From AI Theory to AI Reality

I have been writing about the impact of AI on our cybersecurity profession. But lately, I have been able to experience AI firsthand. I bought a Tesla Model 3.

You are likely asking right now what went wrong. Only a scant few months ago, I was staunchly against EVs and could never see myself owning or even driving one. I felt they were simply inadequate for American roads and were being pushed on us by aging hippies in the name of Gaia.

I remember about a decade ago talking with a man who owned an early Tesla. He told me it made all other cars feel like horse-and-buggies; he said they represented the future. I recall waving off his sentiments as an enthusiast’s fever dream, but he was right. I was wrong.

The Real Revolution Isn’t the Car

The real impact of the Tesla automotive revolution isn’t the car itself. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very capable vehicle that drives well and accelerates so hard that my four-door family sedan blows the doors off even sexy muscle cars with traditional ICE engines.

The real advances are in the onboard neural network accelerators that power the AI inference hardware. The nine simple onboard cameras “see” the road and the traffic, and the AI interprets what they see and informs Tesla’s Full Self Driving (Supervised) system to drive the car for you. It’s not fancy cruise control; it’s nearly autonomous travel. You just supervise and take over if needed.

An Unexpected Final Column

I had gotten this far in this article when I was informed that this will be my last column.

It has been almost twenty years, and I am grateful to my publisher, Steve Lasky, who has been a constant through those years. He gave me my first shot, starting with a monthly column in a magazine mailed to your office, and later with the online version today.

Steve has been both a friend and a mentor, and I can’t thank him enough for all the fun.

Looking Back on a Career

I turned 70 this month, and this little gig is the last remaining facet of my former work life.

I first retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1994, then spent the next 26 years in industry. When I was unceremoniously dismissed from my last job at the beginning of the pandemic, it took me an entire year to realize I would never be a W-2 employee again. Retirement was a suggestion from my Schwab broker, and it has proven a blessing.

My wife and I had $700 and my father’s old car between us when we got married in 1980. We then continued to put each other through school and job training, raised a family, and pursued our individual career goals.

I am extremely grateful I was able to drag my work life across the finish line. There was no secret sauce here; I just kept showing up every day until I suddenly didn’t have to.

Thoughts on the Future

I have some sketchy ideas of where our profession will go in the next few years, but any longer than that, and my crystal ball gets foggy.

I will say I am not encouraging my grandsons to follow the career path I did. That model is gone. I hope all of you in the workforce have a plan and that it’s working.

Signing Off

For me, I am walking away on my own terms. I am still busy, but it’s with playing guitar, golfing, traveling, and volunteering my remaining time to help those in need. I have a lot of negative entries at the Throne of Grace, and I need to work off my demerits. Jesus is my only hope.

It’s now time for me to sign off and wish you all the very best of God’s blessings. If anyone wants to reach out, I’m not hard to find.

I will continue to chase my Bucket List with my wife of 46 years. I hope you all finally find time to relax and reflect on a well-lived life.

I know I do.

Godspeed.