Identity at the Center

Alejandro Leal, senior analyst at KuppingerCole focused on technology governance and digital identity. He discusses differences between misinformation and disinformation and their historical roots. He explores generative AI risks, how false narratives spread online, and the tension between anonymity, verification, and trustworthy identity. Practical approaches like AI labeling and verifiable credentials are highlighted.

Jerome Thorstenson, IAM Architect at Salling Group, brings hands-on experience securing B2B supply chains and leading IGA and ABAC work. He discusses identity-first security, tackling varied vendor onboarding, treating identity as a product, and using ABAC to avoid role explosion. Practical migration lessons, data quality, and retail turnover realities round out the conversation.

This episode is sponsored by SlashID. Visit https://www.slashid.com/idac to learn more.In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim interview Vincenzo Iozzo, CEO of SlashID, to discuss the current landscape and innovations they are making in Identity and Access Management (IAM). Vincenzo, who has a background in offensive security and experience at CrowdStrike, explains how SlashID uses Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance visibility and posture beyond traditional Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) tools. Slash ID focuses on real-time detection and response to identity-based threats, addressing gaps that compliance-driven IGA systems miss. The episode also covers the advantages of SlashID’s platform, including monitoring privileged identities, automating policy generation for least privilege, and integrating with existing security infrastructure. The conversation delves into the challenges of identity-related breaches and the importance of balancing compliance with robust security measures. Vincenzo also shares his experiences from the offensive security world, including hacking competitions and the evolving threat landscape.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Real-Time Identity Security01:20 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast02:18 Meet Vincenzo Iozzo, CEO of SlashID02:37 Vincenzo's Journey into Digital Identity04:26 The Genesis of SlashID08:16 Challenges in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)14:41 The Prevalence of Identity-Related Breaches19:06 Detection and Response Strategies24:30 Lifecycle Issues Detection26:11 Remediation Strategies28:57 Integration with Existing Tools30:27 Customer Success Metrics34:10 Setting Up and Deploying SlashID35:48 Live Demo Walkthrough41:48 Challenges in Cybersecurity45:16 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationConnect with Vincenzo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzoiozzo/Learn more about SlashID: https://www.slashid.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 and watch at https://www.youtube.com/@idacpodcast

Henrique Teixeira, SVP of Strategy at Saviynt and former Gartner analyst, shares insights from his transition to identity management. He discusses the parallels between identity security trends and stand-up comedy, emphasizing continuous evolution in messaging. Henrique explores the impact of AI on IAM and the importance of building networks during career shifts. He also draws fascinating connections between identity management and Formula One racing, while previewing his upcoming podcast, 'Savvy Talk,' focused on AI's influence in the music industry.

Eve Maler, digital identity futurist and co-inventor of XML, SAML and UMA, returns with sharp, playful insight. She explores non-human identities, personhood credentials and digital death. She untangles MarTech vs AdTech, argues for identity-as-product, and weighs consent, tracking, and organizational tensions in customer identity work.

Join Simon Moffatt, founder of The Cyber Hut and identity researcher, as he discusses the future of identity security in a rapidly changing tech landscape. He explores the pivotal role of AI in identity management and how it reshapes accountability and job security. Simon also shares insights from his book, 'IAM at 2035,' predicting the evolution of identity, and touches on his creative writing process for a dystopian novel. His engaging journey through the identity space offers fresh perspectives on both technology and storytelling.

Sponsored by Veza. Visit veza.com/idac for more info.In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim welcome Tarun Thakur, the co-founder and CEO of Veza, and Phil Venables, a strategic security advisor with Google and board director for Veza. The discussion spans the critical role of identity security in modern organizations, the innovative solutions offered by Veza's Access Graph, and the challenges posed by both human and non-human identities. They delve into the evolving landscape of privilege access management (PAM), the transformative potential of AI in identity security, and actionable steps organizations can take to achieve least privilege and reduce risk. The episode also highlights Veza's recent $108 million Series D investment, underscoring its mission to build the next-generation identity platform.Chapters00:00 Understanding Privilege in Organizations02:10 Introduction to the Podcast03:13 Meet the Experts: Tarun and Phil03:46 Tarun's Journey into Identity05:24 Phil's Background in Identity08:35 The Vision and Differentiation of Veza11:38 Announcing Major Investments13:48 Challenges in Identity Security27:48 Challenges of Privilege Access Management28:09 The Evolution of Privilege Access30:25 Session Recording and Management in Modern Infrastructure33:17 The Role of Access Graph in Identity Management44:47 Leveraging AI in Identity Security52:50 Final Thoughts and Future DirectionsConnect with Tarun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarunthakur/Learn more about Veza: https://veza.com/idacConnect with Phil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philvenables/Phil’s Blog: https://www.philvenables.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 idacpodcast.com

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into the complexities and challenges of Identity and Access Management (IAM). They discuss the cumbersome user experience of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) setups, assess the value of IAM maturity programs, and highlight the changing landscape of authentication standards over time. Listener questions address topics such as the future of passwords, the importance of user experience, AI's impact on IAM, budget-conscious IAM strategies for smaller companies, and the dream guests for the show. The episode concludes with a lighter note on what superpowers an IAM superhero might have, emphasizing the role of clear communication in combating the confusion rampant in IAM.Timestamps00:00 The Hassles of Multi-Factor Authentication01:03 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast01:18 The Value of IAM Maturity Assessments03:23 Evolving Standards in Authentication10:55 Upcoming Conferences and Events15:56 Listener Mailbag: IAM Questions Answered27:26 Replicating Manual Processes with Automation28:36 The Importance of User Experience in Automation29:51 Dynamic Access and Self-Service Models31:39 Strategic IAM Program Management33:03 AI's Impact on Identity Governance43:11 Building Strong IAM Programs on a Budget47:07 Dream Guests and IAM Superpowers54:22 Listener Questions and Wrap-UpConference Discounts!European Identity and Cloud Conference 2025 - Use code idac25mko for 25% off: https://www.kuppingercole.com/events/eic2025?ref=partneridacIdentiverse 2025 - Use code IDV25-IDAC25 for 25% off: https://identiverse.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.com

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim enthusiastically announce that their podcast is now the official podcast of IDPro. Heather Flanagan, the Executive Director of IDPro, joins the discussion to share insights about the previous IDPro Show, the time and resource constraints of producing it, and the transition to making Identity at the Center the official IDPro podcast. They also discuss her global travels and participation in various identity-related conferences, including EIC and Identiverse. They also delve into the ID Pro's Slack community, the CIDPRO certification, and the Identity Salon initiative. The episode concludes with discussions about upcoming personal travel plans and their experiences in organizing and attending identity industry events.Chapters00:00 Exciting Announcement: Official Podcast of IDPro01:54 Introduction and Casual Banter03:23 Conference Season and Identity Beers06:39 Welcoming Heather Flanagan08:22 IDPro and Community Building15:05 The CIDPRO Certification19:59 The Identity Salon27:30 IDPro's Global Presence and Challenges28:54 IDPro at EIC: Workshops and Job Descriptions31:15 Addressing the Identity Talent Shortage33:14 The Origin and Culture of Identity Beers35:07 IDPro's Role at Identiverse38:55 The Rigors of the CIDPRO Exam40:26 Balancing Travel and Personal Life46:09 Vacation Planning Styles52:40 Closing Remarks and Future PlansConnect with Heather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hlflanagan/Learn more about IDPro: https://idpro.org/The Identity Salon: https://theidentitysalon.com/Identibeer tracker - https://github.com/martin-sandren-conf/iamconfs/blob/main/Meetups_and_IdentiBeers_2025_springConference Discounts!Gartner IAM Summit - Code IDAC425 saves 425€: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/identity-access-management-ukEuropean Identity and Cloud Conference 2025 - Use code idac25mko for 25% off: https://www.kuppingercole.com/events/eic2025?ref=partneridacIdentiverse 2025 - Use code IDV25-IDAC25 for 25% off: https://identiverse.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.com

Kristin Olsen, Director of Product Management at Alaska Airlines who leads day-of-travel digital identity work. She talks about using face and phone verification across checkpoints and bag drops. She explores TSA touchless integration, mobile IDs and tap-to-auth visions. She also touches on risk segmentation, adoption timelines, and how improv sharpened her communication.