#319 - Identity Security & Cyber Resilience with David Mahdi of Transmit Security

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim engage in an insightful conversation with Darren Rolls, a veteran in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) field. They discuss the complexities of identity fabrics, the evolving landscape of IAM, the impact of AI, and the challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy systems. Darren shares his thoughts on upcoming trends, practical advice for IAM practitioners, and even his personal experience with kite surfing. Tune in to gain expert perspectives on the future of IAM and the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in this dynamic field.Connect with Darran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darran-rolls/Identity Innovations Blog: https://identityinnovationlabs.com/identity-insights/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter00:17 Discussing Identity Fabrics and Leadership Compass03:19 Upcoming Conferences and Events05:32 Interview with Darren Rolls: Identity Management Journey09:09 Evolution and Challenges in Identity Management24:41 Future of Identity Management and AI32:05 The Future of IAM in the Age of AI33:12 The Rise of Agent-Based Applications34:12 Challenges in Identity and Access Management35:31 Exploring Vibe Coding and AI Utilities38:09 Monitoring and Telemetry in IAM40:17 The Evolution of Identity Management42:05 The Role of Laws in IAM Architecture46:16 Balancing Legacy Systems with Future Innovations51:39 Kite Surfing Adventures and Reflections59:01 Closing Thoughts and Future EngagementsConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

8 Sep 20251h

Sponsored by Axonius. Visit https://www.axonius.com/idac to learn more.In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim talk with Amir Ofek, the CEO of AxoniusX, about the company's innovative solutions in identity and access management (IAM). The discussion covers Amir's journey into IAM, the unique challenges of managing identities, and how AxoniusX's data-driven approach provides comprehensive visibility and intelligence. The episode breaks down various use cases, the importance of identity hygiene, automation of identity processes, and the newly recognized identity visibility and intelligence platform (IVIP) by Gartner.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:57 Guest Introduction: Amir, CEO of AxoniusX01:12 Amir's Journey into Identity Access Management02:40 Understanding Axonius and AxoniusX08:03 The Importance of Identity Visibility and Intelligence11:48 Challenges in Identity Management22:10 Axonius's Approach to Identity Visibility26:35 Leveraging AI and Machine Learning in Identity Management31:18 Understanding Permission Changes and Their Importance32:10 The Role of Observability in Axonius32:37 Driving Actions with Axonius33:30 Common Use Cases and Workflows35:19 Axonius as a Swiss Army Knife36:16 Ease of Use and AI Integration38:49 Starting with Axonius and Measuring Value43:42 Future Directions for Axonius49:49 The Identity Community and Upcoming Events51:23 Skiing Adventures and Tips57:54 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Amir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirofek/Learn more about Axonius: https://www.axonius.com/idacConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com

3 Sep 202559min

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into the critical intersection of cloud security and identity and access management (IAM). They are joined by experts from RSM Justin Devine, Cloud Transformation Director, and Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan, Digital Identity Director, to discuss the challenges and strategies involved in explaining complex identity topics in business terms to executives. The conversation covers the integration of IAM with cloud initiatives, the importance of automation and governance, and actionable steps for improving cloud security and identity management. The episode also touches on the evolving role of identity in cybersecurity and offers practical advice for organizations undergoing cloud migrations.Connect with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindevine/Connect with Vaishnavi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishnavi-vaidyanathan-6913072b/Learn more about RSM:Digital Identity consulting: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-business-vulnerability/identity-and-access.htmlSecure Cloud: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-business-vulnerability/secure-cloud.htmlCheck out more RSM & IDAC episodes: https://rsmus.com/insights/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/IDAC-podcast-featuring-RSMs-digital-identity-team.htmlChapters00:00 Introduction and Banter00:37 Explaining Identity in Business Speak04:03 Conference Season and Upcoming Events06:19 Intersection of Cloud Security and IAM07:05 Guest Introductions: Justin and Vaishnavi07:37 Vaishnav's Journey in Identity12:20 Justin's Background and Cloud Security14:32 Cloud and IAM Strategies29:28 Challenges in Identity Management30:09 Identity Orchestration and Cloud Transformation31:07 Modernizing Identity for Cloud Adoption33:03 Importance of Identity in Advanced Cloud Implementations37:28 Identity Security and Monitoring in the Cloud41:34 Practical Advice for Cloud and Identity Management53:23 Music Preferences and Final ThoughtsConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

1 Sep 202559min

Join Jeff and Jim in this special episode of the Identity at the Center podcast as they celebrate crossing 1 million downloads. The hosts share a major announcement, thank their supporters, and discuss the journey and future of the podcast. They also delve into the world of Identity and Access Management (IAM) with guest Anthony Viggiano, covering key topics such as access reviews, roles, data integration, and non-human identities. Anthony shares his insights on making access reviews effective, future-proofing IAM programs, and the pragmatic approaches to identity governance. Plus, learn about Anthony's passion for mountain biking and some tips for beginners. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable IAM insights and a momentous celebration!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Banter00:33 Major Milestone Announcement02:58 Upcoming Events and Conferences06:54 Guest Introduction: Anthony Viggiano09:48 Anthony's Journey into Identity11:08 Challenges in Identity Management12:24 Non-Human Identities and AI16:34 Access Reviews: Security Theater?24:08 Making Access Reviews Effective26:29 Effective Access Reviews: Overcoming Challenges29:29 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Insights32:29 Exploring Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)37:56 Centralizing Identity Governance45:47 Future-Proofing Identity Programs47:35 Mountain Biking: A Metaphor for Life54:54 Closing Thoughts and Community SupportConnect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyviggiano/Connect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

25 Aug 202556min

This episode is sponsored by P0 Security. Visit p0.dev/idac to learn why P0 is the easiest and fastest way to implement just-in-time, short-lived, and auditable access to your entire infrastructure stack, like servers, databases, Kubernetes clusters, cloud consoles, and cloud services, for users as well as non-human identities.In this sponsor spotlight episode, Jim and Jeff are joined by Shashwat Sehgal, CEO and founder of P0 Security, to discuss the evolving challenges of privileged access management in modern, cloud-native environments. Shashwat explains how traditional PAM solutions often create friction for developers, leading to over-provisioning and security risks, and how P0 is tackling this problem with a developer-first, just in time (JIT) access model. The conversation covers the core problems with developer productivity, how P0's use of technologies like eBPF provides deep visibility and control without agents, the "Priority Zero" philosophy, and how a JIT approach simplifies audits and compliance. They also discuss the competitive landscape and what sets P0 Security apart from traditional and open-source solutions.Learn more about P0: https://www.p0.dev/idacConnect with Shashwat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashwatsehgal/Chapter Timestamps:00:00 - Podcast Intro00:29 - Sponsor Introduction: P0 Security01:38 - What is the problem P0 Security is trying to solve?03:52 - Defining "Just-in-Time" (JIT) Access06:21 - The challenge with traditional PAM for developers08:23 - How P0 provides access without agents using eBPF12:15 - What does the user experience look like?15:58 - Supporting various infrastructure and access protocols19:15 - How does P0 handle session recording and auditing?22:20 - Is this a replacement for Privileged Access Management (PAM)?26:40 - The story behind the name P0 Security29:20 - Who is the ideal customer for P0?33:15 - Handling break-glass scenarios36:04 - Discussing the competitive landscape42:30 - How is P0 deployed? (Cloud vs. On-prem)46:50 - The future of P0 and the "Priority Zero" philosophy50:32 - Final thoughts: "Access is our priority zero."Connect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.comKeywords:P0 Security, Shashwat Sagal, Privileged Access Management, PAM, Just-in-Time Access, JIT, Developer Security, Cloud-Native Security, Hybrid Cloud, eBPF, Kubernetes, IAM, Identity and Access Management, Cybersecurity, Zero Trust, Ephemeral Access, Developer Experience, IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald

20 Aug 202551min

Join hosts Jeff Steadman and Jim McDonald as they explore the critical intersection of attack surface management (ASM) and digital identity with Dan Lauritzen, Director with RSM Defense - RSM’s Managed Security Team. This episode dives deep into how identity has become a key component of your organization's attack surface and why breaking down silos between identity teams and Security Operations Centers is more crucial than ever.Dan brings a unique perspective from his military background as a human intelligence collector to his current role in detection and response. Learn about the cyber kill chain, understand when you might have too much data, and discover practical strategies for treating identities as assets that need continuous protection.Whether you're an identity practitioner looking to expand your security knowledge or a cybersecurity professional wanting to better understand identity's role in attack surface management, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways.Key topics include XDR platforms, ITDR tools, the evolution from legacy SIEM to modern detection systems, and why the future of security requires collaboration between traditionally separate teams.Chapter Timestamps00:00 - Introduction and Industry Trends01:00 - AI and Technology Disruption Discussion02:00 - Upcoming Conference Schedule and Discount Codes04:00 - Podcast Milestone - Approaching One Million Downloads06:30 - Introducing Dan Lauritzen and RSM Defense Team09:00 - Dan's Background - From Military to Cybersecurity12:00 - What is Attack Surface Management?14:00 - Treating Identities as Assets16:00 - The Cyber Kill Chain Explained18:00 - Why Identity and SOC Teams Operate in Silos21:00 - The Role of Data in Modern Security Operations23:00 - Continuous Identity Management and Shared Signals Framework26:00 - Can You Have Too Much Data?29:00 - Breaking Down Silos Between Identity and SOC Teams32:00 - Practical Collaboration Strategies34:00 - SIEM vs XDR vs ITDR - Understanding the Tool Landscape41:00 - Pragmatic Security Strategies and Metrics44:00 - Biggest Misconceptions About Attack Surface Management45:00 - Military Background - Human Intelligence Collection48:00 - Communication Tips for Better Information Gathering51:00 - Closing and Contact InformationConnect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lauritzen-67545045/Cyber Kill Chain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_kill_chainLearn more about RSM:RSM Defense Managed Security: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/managed-security-services.htmlRSM Digital Identity: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-business-vulnerability/identity-and-access.htmlConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.comKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Dan Lauritzen, RSM, attack surface management, cybersecurity, digital identity, SOC, Security Operations Center, XDR, ITDR, SIEM, cyber kill chain, detection and response, identity security, human intelligence, military cybersecurity, continuous identity management, shared signals framework, UEBA, threat detection, zero trust, privileged access management, identity governance, security metrics, vendor management, cloud security, endpoint security, data correlation, security silos, collaboration strategies, identity assets, orphaned accounts, entitlement creep, attack surface reduction, security automation, AI in security, machine learning security, identity sprawl, security tools, cybersecurity consulting, managed security services, security monitoring, incident response, threat hunting, vulnerability management, risk assessment, compliance, security architecture, defense strategy

18 Aug 202551min

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into an enriching discussion with Shawna Hofer, Chief Information Security Officer at St. Luke's Health System in Idaho. Discover the vital link between cybersecurity and patient safety, the evolving role of AI in healthcare, and the challenges of integrating new technologies securely. Shawna shares her unique journey from an identity and access management manager to a CISO, offering valuable insights on risk management, data privacy, machine identities, and resilient security infrastructure. This is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in the intersection of healthcare and cybersecurity!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:37 ID Pro Membership Benefits03:35 Conferences and Events06:03 Introducing Shawna Hofer07:00 Shawna’s Journey to CISO10:55 Identity Security in Healthcare13:49 Balancing Security and User Experience19:08 Challenges with IoT in Healthcare24:27 AI in Healthcare Security30:01 Upskilling for AI in Security33:07 The Ever-Improving AI Landscape33:21 Embracing the AI Mindset33:58 Resiliency in Healthcare and AI35:06 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World37:37 Trusting AI in Security Decisions40:56 Learning the Language of Risk43:44 Making the Business Case for Identity45:50 Balancing Security Investments51:48 The Future of Healthcare and AI54:40 Fun and Food: The Potato Question01:02:13 Closing Remarks and FarewellConnect with Shawna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-hofer-7259b21a/Connect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

11 Aug 20251h 3min

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim are joined by Felix Gaehtgens, a former Gartner analyst, to discuss the evolving landscape of machine identity. Felix shares insights into the differences between human and machine identities, the challenges posed by legacy identity management practices, and the importance of moving towards modern, dynamic, and ephemeral identity solutions. The conversation covers key strategies for managing machine identities, the role of IAM teams, and the future of this critical area in cybersecurity. Tune in for an informative and engaging discussion that dives deep into the technical, strategic, and practical aspects of machine identity management.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Catching Up01:20 Special Guest Introduction: Felix Gaehtgens03:42 Upcoming Conferences and Events06:46 Deep Dive into Machine Identity09:10 Challenges and Solutions in Machine Identity Management18:03 Practical Advice for Practitioners29:28 The Future of Identity Security30:29 The IAM Team's Absence in Machine Identity31:06 Challenges Faced by Developers and IAM Teams31:42 Forming a Machine IAM Working Group34:24 The Disconnect Between IAM Teams and Developers37:16 Tactical Approaches for IAM Program Managers39:21 Guidance and Automation in IAM51:25 The Future of Machine Identity54:47 Scuba Diving and IAM Analogies01:00:35 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Felix - https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixgaehtgens/Reading links:https://curity.io/news/cloud-native-data-security-with-oauth-ebook/https://spiffe.io/pdf/Solving-the-bottom-turtle-SPIFFE-SPIRE-Book.pdfConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

4 Aug 20251h 1min