#388 - Fraud Reduction Intelligence Platforms with John Tolbert

Jeff and Jim come to you live from the expo floor at Identiverse DC 2025. They are joined by John DelMauro, Executive Vice President at Cyber Risk Alliance, to discuss the energy of regional events and how they differ from the massive Las Vegas gatherings.The group discusses the current state of the identity industry, the inevitable presence of AI in both marketing and event planning, and the "Identity at the Center" game show that took place earlier in the conference. John provides an exclusive look ahead at what is being planned for Identiverse in Las Vegas, including a new algorithmic approach to one-on-one networking, expanded pavilions, and potentially even puppies.Finally, the conversation shifts to a fun hypothetical: if money and logistics were no object, what kind of conference would each of them launch? The answers range from health and longevity in Austin to a technology expo in Japan.Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-del-mauro/Learn more about the CyberRisk Alliance: https://www.cyberriskalliance.com/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.comChapter Timestamps00:00 Introduction and vibes from Identiverse DC00:52 Recapping the Majority Rules game show02:00 Introducing John DelMauro from Cyber Risk Alliance03:59 What is Cyber Risk Alliance?05:25 The benefits of regional events vs. Las Vegas09:15 Current themes: AI dominating the conversation13:21 How AI helps in planning and researching events15:50 Previewing Identiverse Las Vegas 202517:10 The new one-on-one networking algorithm22:15 Breaking news: Puppies at the conference?24:45 Hypothetical: What dream conference would you host?27:45 Jim's take on a longevity conference29:18 Jeff's dream of a tech nerd-con31:00 Closing thoughts and wrap upKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, John DelMauro, CyberRisk Alliance, Identiverse, Cybersecurity, Event Planning, Networking, InfoSec, AI in Events, Washington DC, Conference Trends

15 Dec 32min

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim sit down with Tobin South, co-chair of the OpenID Foundation's AI Identity Management Community Group, to delve into the intricacies of identity management in the age of agentic AI. They discuss the challenges and solutions related to AI agents, the role of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the concept of recursive delegation and scope attenuation. Additionally, the conversation covers practical advice for developers and enterprises on preparing for AI-driven identity management and explores the cultural touchstone of coffee from various global perspectives.Connect with Tobin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobinsouth/OpenID Foundation: https://openid.net/Identity Management for Agentic AI (OpenID Whitepaper): https://openid.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Identity-Management-for-Agentic-AI.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.comChapter Timestamps:00:00 – Jeff and Jim banter about unopened iPads and conference season05:55 – Introduction to Tobin South and his AI identity background07:00 – How AI has evolved from machine learning to generative models09:00 – The OpenID AI Identity Management Community Group10:30 – ChatGPT’s impact on the AI perception shift12:00 – Users vs. Agents: What’s the difference?14:00 – Letting the right bots in: AI agents vs. bad bots17:00 – AI impersonation, delegation, and the risk of shared credentials20:00 – Impersonation vs. Delegation – what practitioners need to know23:00 – Governance, oversight, and delegated authority for agents26:00 – Liability and “who is responsible” in agentic systems30:00 – How developers can prepare for agent identity and access management32:00 – Explaining the Model Context Protocol (MCP)36:00 – Enterprise use cases for MCP and internal automation38:00 – Is MCP the next SAML?42:00 – Recursive delegation and scope attenuation explained46:00 – The one key takeaway for IAM professionals48:00 – Lighter note: Coffee talk – from Sydney to San Francisco54:00 – Wrap-up and where to find more IDAC contentKeywords:IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jim McDonald, Jeff Steadman, Tobin South, OpenID Foundation, AI Identity Management, Agentic AI, Delegated Authority, Impersonation vs Delegation, Model Context Protocol (MCP), Recursive Delegation, Scope Attenuation, Identity Access Management, IAM, AI Governance, AI Standards, Enterprise AI, AI Agents, Identity Security

8 Dec 55min

This episode is sponsored by Aembit. Visit aembit.io/idac to learn more.Jeff and Jim welcome David Goldschlag, CEO and Co-founder of Aembit, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of non-human access and workload identity. With the rise of AI agents in the enterprise, organizations face a critical challenge: how to secure software-to-software connections without relying on static, shared credentials.David shares his unique background, ranging from working on The Onion Router (Tor) at the Naval Research Lab to the DIVX rental system, and explains how those experiences inform his approach to identity today. The conversation covers the distinction between human and non-human access, the risks of using user credentials for AI agents, and why we must shift from managing secrets to managing access policies.This episode explores real-world use cases for AI agents in financial services and retail, the concept of hybrid versus autonomous agents, and practical advice for identity practitioners looking to get ahead of the agentic AI wave.Visit Aembit: https://aembit.io/idacConnect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgoldschlagConnect 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.comTimestamps00:00 - Intro00:51 - Pronunciation of Aembit and the extra 'E'01:56 - David's background: From NSA to Enterprise Security04:58 - The meaning behind the name Aembit06:00 - David's history with The Onion Router (Tor)10:00 - Differentiating Non-Human Access from Workforce IAM11:39 - The security risks of AI Agents using human credentials14:15 - Manage Access, Not Secrets16:00 - Use Cases: Financial Analysts and Retail24:00 - Hybrid Agents vs. Autonomous Agents30:38 - Will we have agentic versions of ourselves?36:45 - How Identity Practitioners can handle the AI wave38:33 - Measuring success and ROI for workload identity43:20 - A blast from the past: DIVX and Circuit City52:15 - ClosingKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Aembit, David Goldschlag, Non-human access, Workload Identity, AI Agents, Machine Identity, Cybersecurity, IAM, InfoSec, Tor, DIVX, Zero Trust, Secrets Management, Authentication, Authorization

3 Dec 53min

Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman sit down with Mike Reiring of RSM at InfoSec World 2025 to explore how managed service providers are reshaping IT and identity operations. They dig into the differences between MSPs and MSSPs, how to choose the right partner, and how AI is transforming help desks, problem management, and security monitoring. The conversation closes with a fun dive into Mike’s passion for photography and how creativity ties into continuous learning in tech.Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mreiring/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.comChapters00:00 Intro – Live from InfoSec World 202502:00 Meet Mike Reiring of RSM04:30 Evolution of Managed Service Providers06:30 Shared Accounts, Identity, and Security Maturity09:00 Vendor Gaps and Federated Access Challenges11:30 What Makes a Good MSP Partner13:00 The Cost and Effort of Changing Providers16:30 MSP vs MSSP – Key Differences18:30 Coordination Between Managed Providers21:30 Top 3 Questions to Ask Your MSP25:00 Identity Ownership: IT or Security?27:30 Licensing, Active Directory, and Hidden Accounts30:00 RFP Challenges and Procurement Pitfalls32:00 Measuring Risk and Reducing Identity Exposure34:30 Vendor Management and Shadow IT Risks35:00 How AI Is Transforming MSP and MSSP Operations38:30 AI, Problem Management, and the Future of Help Desks42:30 Photography, Creativity, and Continuous Learning48:00 Closing Thoughts and IDAC OutroKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Mike Reiring, RSM, InfoSec World 2025, Managed Service Provider, MSP, MSSP, AI in Cybersecurity, Help Desk, Identity Management, Managed Identity, Partner Transparency, IT Outsourcing, Risk Reduction, Problem Management, Active Directory, DaVinci Resolve, Photography in Tech, Identity Governance, Cybersecurity Podcast

24 Nov 50min

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim broadcast from InfoSec World 2025, sharing lively discussions on identity management, AI security, and identity's evolving role in information security. They are joined by Ross Young and G Mark Hardy, co-hosts of the CISO Tradecraft podcast, who share their journeys into cybersecurity, illuminating how identity intersects with cybersecurity topics like deep fakes, AI implications, and non-human identities. The conversation also covers practical advice for securing budget approvals for identity projects and speculations on the role of AI in cybersecurity's future. The episode wraps up with each guest sharing personal ideas for potential new podcast ventures.The CISO Tradecraft podcast: CISOTradecraft.comConnect with Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrossyoung/Connect with G Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmarkhardy/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.comChapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:16 Live from InfoSec World 202500:52 Shoutouts and Day Jobs01:37 Meeting Ross and G Mark from the CISO Tradecraft podcast02:22 Ross's Journey into Cybersecurity04:24 G Mark's Cybersecurity Career Path07:44 Top Concerns for CISOs Today09:53 The Role of Identity in Cybersecurity16:18 Challenges and Trends in Identity Management24:33 Pitching Identity Projects to CISOs32:21 The Role of AI in Automating SOC Operations33:23 AI's Impact on Developer Efficiency35:48 The Future of AI-Assisted Coding37:42 Challenges and Opportunities in AI and Cybersecurity39:46 The Importance of Human Expertise in AI Development48:17 The Role of Identity in Information Security49:44 Introduction to CISO Tradecraft Podcast55:24 Podcasting Tips and Personal Interests01:00:48 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywords:Identity at the Center, IDAC, CISO Tradecraft, InfoSec World 2025, cybersecurity leadership, identity security, IAM, AI security, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Ross Young, G. Mark Hardy, InfoSec, CISOs, cyber career development, non-human identity, deepfakes, security automation

17 Nov 1h 1min

This episode is sponsored by Nexis. Visit nexis-secure.com/idac to learn more.In this sponsored episode of *Identity at the Center*, host Jim McDonald sits down with Dr. Heiko Klarl, CEO of Nexis, to explore how the company is advancing authorization governance for modern enterprises. Dr. Klarl explains how Nexis builds visibility and control across fragmented identity landscapes and why “better together” is the right strategy for enterprises with multiple IAM systems.They discuss the emerging Identity Visibility and Intelligence Platform (IVIP) category, the value of automation and remediation in governance, Nexis’s unique “health check” service, and their ISPM capability that helps clients identify unnecessary access—and even save on software licensing.Learn how Nexis integrates with IGA and PAM tools, streamlines application onboarding, and helps customers measure the real business impact of their identity programs.Connect with Heiko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heiko-klarl/More about Nexis: https://nexis-secure.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.comChapters00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message00:42 Meet Dr. Heiko Klarl, CEO of Nexis01:29 Dr. Klarl's Journey into Identity and Access Management03:09 What Does Nexis Do?05:00 Challenges in Authorization Governance06:43 The Importance of Visibility in Identity Systems08:23 Nexis' Role in Enhancing Existing IAM Investments10:05 The Concept of IVIP and Its Relevance21:48 Nexis Platform Capabilities23:24 The Health Check: A Deep Dive27:22 Understanding Health Check Costs28:27 Exploring ISPM and License Management32:09 How Nexis Integrates with IGA Systems34:11 Application Onboarding and Compliance36:38 Measuring Value and Success with Nexis43:10 Global Reach and Market Focus45:02 Connecting at Conferences46:49 Visiting Germany: Recommendations and Insights50:17 Final Thoughts and ResourcesKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jim McDonald, Jeff Steadman, Dr. Heiko Klarl, Nexis, Nexis Secure, NEXIS 4, authorization governance, role mining, role management, IGA, IAM, IVIP, Identity Visibility and Intelligence Platform, access certification, remediation automation, health check, ISPM, Identity Security Posture Management, license management, enterprise identity, compliance, visibility, identity governance, access review, Gartner IAM, EIC, KuppingerCole

13 Nov 52min

Live from Authenticate 2025, Jeff Steadman and Jim McDonald sit down with the Cal Ripken of IDAC, Andrew Shikiar, Executive Director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance. Andrew shares exciting updates on the incredible progress of Passkeys, revealing that over 3 billion are now in use securing accounts. We discuss the key themes of the conference, including the ongoing arms race with AI in security and the critical role of identity verification. Andrew also unveils the new Passkey Index, an initiative to provide industry benchmarks for deployment success. Looking ahead, the conversation shifts to the FIDO Alliance's broadening focus on digital credentials and wallets, aiming to solve the usability and certification challenges that have held the space back. Finally, we hear about the global expansion of the Authenticate conference brand, with a new event launching in Singapore.Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewshikiar/Learn more about FIDO: https://fidoalliance.org/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.comChapter Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to Authenticate 2025 Themes00:02:50 - Welcoming Andrew Shikiar of the FIDO Alliance00:04:00 - Andrew's Keynote: Passkey Progress and Future Goals00:05:17 - Over 3 Billion Passkeys in Use00:06:57 - Improving the Passkey User Experience (UX)00:09:02 - Introducing the Passkey Index for Benchmarking00:10:46 - The Growth of the Authenticate Conference00:14:55 - FIDO Alliance's New Focus: Digital Credentials and Wallets00:17:25 - Overcoming Hurdles in Digital Credential Adoption00:20:03 - The Role of Major Stakeholders in FIDO's Success00:23:05 - The Future of the Authenticate Conference00:24:00 - Announcing Authenticate APAC in Singapore00:25:07 - Global Differences in Passkey Adoption00:28:19 - Closing Thoughts and FIDO Feud RecapKeywords:Andrew Shikiar, FIDO Alliance, Passkeys, Authenticate 2025, identity verification, digital credentials, digital wallets, passwordless, WebAuthn, user experience, Passkey Index, cybersecurity, authentication, mobile driver's license, multi-factor authentication, IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald

10 Nov 30min