

Identity at the Center
Identity at the Center
Identity at the Center is a weekly podcast all about identity security in the context of identity and access management (IAM). With decades of real-world IAM experience, hosts Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman bring you conversations with news, topics, and guests from the identity management industry. Do you know who has access to what?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2024 • 1h 10min
#322 - Identity Security Posture Management with Saviynt’s Henrique Teixeira
Henrique Teixeira, Senior VP of Strategy at Saviynt and former Gartner analyst, specializes in identity security strategy and AI-driven identity trends. He frames Identity Security Posture Management as an Apple Watch for identity, contrasts prevention-focused ISPM with ITDR, explores AI copilots versus agents, and predicts rising focus on non-human (machine) identities and multi-channel access workflows.

Dec 4, 2024 • 47min
#321 - Sponsor Spotlight - MightyID
In this special Sponsor Spotlight episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, host Jim McDonald welcomes Chris Steinke from MightyID. Chris shares insights into identity as a valuable asset and its versatility as a security mechanism. The discussion delves into MightyID's unique features, focusing on IAM resilience including backup, recovery, migration, failover, and the Change360 capability. Jim and Chris also touch on the importance of resilience learned from personal experiences like youth sports coaching. The episode wraps up with a look at MightyID’s plans for future development and their presence at the upcoming Gartner IAM Summit.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast
01:02 Sponsor Spotlight: MightyID
02:35 Chris Steinke's Journey into IAM
04:32 Understanding MightyID's Solutions
06:57 The Importance of Resiliency in IAM
10:29 Exploring MightyID's Unique Features
25:15 Change360: A Powerful Investigative Tool
27:45 Measuring Success with MightyID
30:39 MightyID's Resiliency and Future Plans
36:53 Gartner IAM Summit and Closing Remarks
Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-steinke-exec/
Learn more about MightyID: https://www.mightyid.com/idac
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 and watch at https://www.youtube.com/@idacpodcast

Dec 2, 2024 • 23min
#320 - Authenticate 204 - FIDO Feud
In this special episode of Identity at the Center, hosts Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman kick off the inaugural FIDO Feud—a game show packed with fun and informative challenges about digital identity. Team Glitterati, led by Megan Shamas, and Team Identifriends, led by Jim, face off in a series of rounds centered around common passwords, identity trends, and future threats to IAM. Enjoy witty banter, audience interaction, and a spirited competition, all while diving deep into the world of Identity and Access Management.
Special thanks to the FIDO Alliance and RSM US LLP for making this special event possible!
00:00 Introduction to Identity at the Center
00:20 Welcome to FIDO Feud
01:18 Meet the Team Captains
01:47 Team Names and Random Members
02:46 Game Rules and Setup
04:22 Round 1: Easy-to-Guess Passwords
07:37 Round 2: Tired Trends in IAM
11:44 IAM Metrics Showdown
12:22 Successful Logins and Password Resets
13:04 User Satisfaction and Breaches
13:44 Enrollment and Abandon Rate
14:33 Final IAM Metrics
15:45 Biggest Future Threats to IAM
17:29 Unexpected Answers and Final Round
21:16 Winners and Closing Remarks
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

Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 17min
#319 - Identity Security & Cyber Resilience with David Mahdi of Transmit Security
David Mahdi, CIO at Transmit Security and former Gartner analyst, brings deep experience in identity security and machine identities. He discusses why IAM must evolve into identity security, the rise and governance challenges of non-human identities, convergence of identity and cybersecurity, and the importance of cyber resilience and behavior-based monitoring.

Nov 18, 2024 • 50min
#318 - SailPoint Navigate 2024 - SSF, CAEP, RISC, and SCIM Events with SailPoint’s Mike Kiser
Mike Kiser, Director of Strategy and Standards at SailPoint, brings deep experience in identity standards and IAM. He discusses shared signals, CAPE, RISC, and SCIM event approaches to real-time identity data. Short takes cover standards vs bespoke integrations, event-driven identity architectures, vendor roles, and how AI affects authenticity.

Nov 13, 2024 • 56min
#317 - Sponsor Spotlight - Strivacity
In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center podcast brought to you by Strivacity, Jeff and Jim welcome Stephen Cox, co-founder and CTO of Strivacity, to discuss the evolving landscape of identity management. The conversation covers Strivacity's unique approach to customer identity and access management (CIAM), the importance of isolation by design for security, and the integration of generative AI into their platform. Stephen shares insights on how Strivacity differentiates itself in the market, the recognition from Gartner, and the challenges of implementing AI in identity management systems. They discuss the evolving landscape of AI, particularly in relation to data access, security, and identity management. Also explored is the balance between leveraging AI for business insights and the potential threats it poses to data security. The discussion also touches on the future of AI technology, the challenges of governance in a rapidly changing environment, and an unexpected segue into astrophotography, highlighting the intersection of AI technology and personal interests.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Identity at the Center Podcast
01:37 Meet Steven Cox from Strivacity
02:34 Strivacity's Unique Approach to CIAM
09:27 Differentiating Consumer and Customer IAM
11:49 Strivacity's Recognition and Achievements
14:05 The Importance of Isolation by Design
15:38 Generative AI in IAM Products
21:45 Implementing AI in Strivacity's Platform
29:25 Addressing AI Hallucinations and Security Concerns
30:56 Cost Implications of AI Systems
31:50 Leveraging AI for Business Insights
34:03 Implementing AI with Security in Mind
38:53 Future of AI in Identity Space
44:48 Astrophotography Adventures
53:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephencox/
Learn more about Strivacity: https://strivacity.ai
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 and watch at https://www.youtube.com/@idacpodcast
Keywords
Identity Management, Customer IAM, Strivacity, AI Integration, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity, Gartner Recognition, Isolation by Design, Generative AI, User Experience, AI, data security, identity management, astrophotography, technology governance

Nov 11, 2024 • 52min
#316 - Authenticate 2024 - Death and the Digital Estate with Dean Saxe
In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Jeff and Jim broadcast from the Authenticate 2024 conference in Carlsbad, California, exploring a wide range of topics. They discuss their podcast's future and share personal experiences with hurricanes. Joined by Dean Saxe, Principal Engineer at Beyond Identity and Chair of the OpenID Foundation Death & The Digital Estate Community Group, the conversation covers identity security, digital estates, and the lasting impact of digital assets. Listeners will hear about complex themes such as managing digital legacies, the evolution of digital credentials, the importance of device-bound credentials, and personal stories of career development in the IAM field. Finally, the episode ends on a lighthearted note with a nostalgic dive into favorite board games, from childhood classics to modern hits. Don't miss this multifaceted discussion that blends professional insights with personal anecdotes.
00:00 Introduction, Conference Setting, and Personal Updates
02:19 Hurricane Aftermath and Resilience
04:03 Authenticate 2024 Highlights
04:57 Upcoming Events and Case Study Teasers
05:38 Introducing Dean Saxe
06:49 Dean's Journey in Identity and Security
13:30 Death and the Digital Estate
25:08 The Risks of Relying on Cloud Services
25:35 Legacy Contacts and Digital Estate Planning
28:15 Respecting Cultural Differences in Digital Death
29:04 Empowerment Through Consent and Choice
29:56 Interoperability and Accessibility in Digital Estates
30:25 Legal and Regulatory Considerations
32:20 The Importance of a Digital Living Will
33:21 Challenges and Future Directions
33:54 The Role of AI in Digital Estates
39:14 Getting Involved in the Digital Estate Community
44:33 Board Games and Lighthearted Farewells
50:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Connect with Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanhsaxe/
Learn more about Beyond Identity: https://www.beyondidentity.com/
Death and the Digital Estate (DADE) Community Group: https://openid.net/cg/death-and-the-digital-estate/
Gartner IAM Summit - Save $375 on registration using our exclusive code IDAC375: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/identity-access-management-us
Semperis’ Hybrid Identity Protection Conference (HIP Conf) - Use code IDACpod for 20% off: https://www.hipconf.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

Nov 4, 2024 • 41min
#315 - Authenticate 2024 - Data Privacy & Accessibility with Tina Srivastava
In this compelling episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim invite you to explore the evolving landscape of privacy, identity, and data security. Featuring insights from industry expert Tina Srivastava, co-founder of Badge, they delve into the pressing issue of data breaches and the innovative technologies designed to combat them, including privacy-preserving biometric systems and public key conversion. Discover the potential of these solutions to revolutionize identity security, the importance of GDPR, and the critical need for inclusive, accessible digital identity systems. The discussion highlights the balance between convenience and privacy while addressing the responsibilities of device manufacturers, telecom companies, and app developers. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about national security, phishing-resistant authentication, and the role of technology in safeguarding our digital identities. Plus, get a glimpse of the social side of tech conferences with a fun recap of Authenticate 2024's karaoke night and a heartfelt thank you to the episode's sponsors and supporters.00:00 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast02:22 Conference Highlights and Casual Banter05:05 Main Topic: Identity and Security with Tina Srivastava08:50 Badge: Revolutionizing Identity Verification12:01 Challenges and Innovations in Identity Security22:08 Reflecting on Domestic Abuse and Digital Identity23:16 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Technology25:48 The Battle for Privacy and Identity29:18 The Future of Seamless Identity Verification35:41 Karaoke Fun at Authenticate Conference39:25 Wrapping Up and Final ThoughtsConnect with Tina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-s-8291438a/Learn more about Badge: https://www.badgeinc.com/Gartner IAM Summit - Save $375 on registration using our exclusive code IDAC375: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/identity-access-management-usSemperis’ Hybrid Identity Protection Conference (HIP Conf) - Use code IDACpod for 20% off: https://www.hipconf.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

Oct 31, 2024 • 60min
#314 - Sponsor Spotlight - Semperis
This episode is sponsored by Semperis: semperis.com
In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim discuss the changing landscape of ransomware attacks and the importance of identity security with Gil Kirkpatrick, Chief Architect at Semperis. They explore how ransomware strategies have evolved from merely encrypting data to exfiltrating sensitive information for ransom. The conversation also delves into the necessity of having robust identity recovery plans, the role of Active Directory in cybersecurity, and the importance of regular security posture assessments with tools like Purple Knight. Additionally, Gil shares insights from the Semperis Ransomware Risk Report and recounts his experiences as a pilot, offering a fascinating look at both cybersecurity and the world of aviation.
00:00 Introduction to Ransomware Evolution
01:25 Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast
01:53 Guest Introduction: Gil Kirkpatrick from Semperis
02:25 Journey into the Identity Space
06:09 Semperis: Enhancing Security and Resilience
21:08 The Importance of Active Directory Security
28:09 Ransomware Risk Report Insights
32:15 The Trustworthiness of Decryption Keys
34:18 Business Disruption from Ransomware
36:14 Should Companies Pay the Ransom?
38:47 The Importance of Cyber Resilience
41:14 Active Directory and Disaster Recovery
43:17 The Decline in Ransomware News
47:36 The Basics of Cybersecurity
50:31 Adventures in Piloting
58:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Connect with Gil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gil-kirkpatrick/
Learn more about Semperis: https://www.semperis.com/
2024 Ransomware Risk Report: Embracing the Assume Breach Mindset: ttps://www.semperis.com/ransomware-risk-report/
Download Purple Knight: https://www.semperis.com/purple-knight/
Hybrid Identity Protection Conference (HIP Conf) - Use code IDACpod for 20% off: https://register.hipconf.com/W7eVML
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

Oct 28, 2024 • 52min
#313 - SailPoint Navigate 2024 - Identity Product Management with SailPoint’s Andrew Moore
Andrew Moore, VP of Product Management at SailPoint and former identity lead at Under Armour, joins to discuss identity platform product work. He talks about Privileged Task Automation, Machine Identity Security, low-code identity automations, UX research for complex security products, and the role of explainable AI in identity governance.


