The Cloud Architects Podcast

In Episode 102 of the Cloud Architects Podcast, we sit down with Mona Ghadiri to explore the rapidly evolving world of AI governance. As organizations rush to deploy AI agents, copilots, and automated workflows, Mona argues that the industry is focusing too much on shiny tools and “guardrails” while neglecting the broader governance frameworks needed to manage risk responsibly. The conversation covers everything from prompt injection and supply chain vulnerabilities to the challenges of securing AI across users, applications, models, and training data. Mona shares practical insights on why many organizations are more prepared than they think, how existing security tools can be adapted for AI, and why starting with clear workflows is critical before building AI solutions. It’s a thoughtful discussion on balancing innovation with accountability in a world where AI capabilities are accelerating faster than the processes designed to control them.

In Episode 101 of the Cloud Architects Podcast, we welcome Microsoft AI MVP James Westall for a candid “state of the nation” discussion on AI in 2026. Moving beyond the LLM hype of 2024 and the agent frenzy of 2025, the conversation explores what’s actually delivering value for organizations today and what isn’t. We unpack common pitfalls like oversold expectations, poor use case selection, and the challenge of measuring ROI, while highlighting practical success stories. We also tackle model “religion wars,” cost realities, developer productivity, and the importance of strategy and governance.

In this milestone 100th episode, we sit down with Daniel Brown, a Microsoft MVP based in Adelaide, to explore how AI is transforming the rugged world of opal mining. Daniel shares the fascinating story of how he developed Opal AI, a computer vision system that uses Microsoft’s Custom Vision and Azure services to identify precious opals in the harsh environment of Coober Pedy. By leveraging AI to detect opal, and safety hazards in real-time, Daniel demonstrates how edge computing can bring tangible efficiency and safety improvements to a traditionally manual industry. The discussion delves into the practical challenges of deploying AI in the Australian outback, from using black light properties for opal detection to dealing with connectivity limitations that require robust offline edge processing. Daniel explains how he built and refined his models with over 5,000 tagged images, sharing practical advice for others looking to start their own AI projects using tools like customvision.ai with as few as 15 starter images. Beyond the technical insights, the episode captures the intersection of ancient geology and cutting-edge technology, highlighting how AI can uncover treasures that are over 100 million years old while automating and securing mining operations. We also celebrate our 100th episode, reflecting on nine years of community-driven conversations, learning, and evolving alongside the cloud ecosystem. Daniel Brown is a visionary leader and a driving force in the world of Microsoft 365 and Copilot, based in the vibrant city of Adelaide, South Australia. With a passion for empowering individuals and organisations through technology, Daniel has been at the forefront of innovation, helping businesses harness the full potential of Microsoft's suite of productivity and AI tools for over 2 decades. Daniel's expertise extends across a wide range of Microsoft technologies, with a particular laser type focus for Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft 365. With his deep understanding of this groundbreaking AI-driven platform, Daniel has helped numerous organizations revolutionize their approach to productivity and collaboration. You can connect with Daniel on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbrownau/) Be sure to check out the user groups: * Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group (https://www.linkedin.com/company/adelaidecopilotusergroup) * Adelaide Microsoft 365 User Group (https://www.linkedin.com/company/am365ug)

In this episode we are joined by guest Kirsty McGrath, a Microsoft MVP and adoption expert, for an insightful conversation on working smarter in today’s AI-driven workplace. Kirsty shares her extensive experience leading adoption programs across Australia and consulting with top Microsoft clients, offering practical wisdom on the importance of user training and change management in maximizing the impact of tools like Microsoft Copilot. The episode delves into the common confusion users face when navigating Microsoft 365’s vast ecosystem—especially with tools that overlap or are frequently updated. Kirsty emphasizes that adoption isn’t just about assigning licenses; it's about helping people understand, trust, and effectively use technology. She also about the psychological and organizational barriers to change—how emotional comfort zones can prevent users from embracing new tools, and why strong change management can significantly reduce help desk pressure and improve employee satisfaction Kirsty McGrath is a seasoned digital transformation consultant and a seven-time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). She is the founder of OnPoint Solutions, a consultancy focused on enabling organizations to adopt Microsoft 365 and AI technologies effectively. Kirsty has worked closely with Microsoft and its top 200 clients, delivering enterprise-scale webinars, adoption strategies, and training initiatives. Kirsty also runs Australia’s leading Microsoft 365 Adoption User Group and outside of the tech world she’s a skilled cake decorator! You can connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstymcgrath/) Be sure to check out her links: M365 'Wheel of Fortune' 45th Edition - top 10 Copilot Insights (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/m365-wheel-fortune-45th-edition-9th-anniversary-top-kirsty-mcgrath-rtnpc/) Microsoft 365 Adoption Library (https://m365adoption.com) M365AdoptionUG (https://www.meetup.com/microsoft-365-adoption/)

In this episode we are joined by guests Ernie Anderson and Darrell Switzer from TBDCyber to discuss the critical topic of incident response (IR). Ernie and Darrell share their insights and experiences in IR. They highlight the importance of having a well-prepared incident response plan, how to effectively use EDR tools, and the value of proactive measures such as vulnerability testing and tabletop exercises. We also discuss the challenges of modern ransomware attacks, the role of cyber insurance, and the need for adaptive communication strategies during incidents. Both guests underscore the necessity of constant updating, testing, and training to ensure organizational resilience against cyber threats. Ernie Anderson is a cybersecurity expert with a proven track record of working collaboratively with CISOs and CIOs across different industries. His work involves developing strong cybersecurity strategies and implementing programs that increase maturity while reducing risk to the business. Ernie's technical expertise allows him to translate strategic vision into effective tactical solutions. He is currently a Senior and Founding Partner at TBDCyber. You can connect with Ernie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernieanderson/) As a seasoned executive leader and accomplished technologist, Darrell's core expertise lies in building high performing teams and guiding organizations through the assessment, development, and enhancement of their enterprise-level Cyber Security programs. He is dedicated to assisting organizations in aligning their cyber strategies with their business priorities, placing a strong emphasis on proactive security management. You can connect with Darrell on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/switzerd/)

At Microsoft Ignite 2024, we sat down with our old friend Anthony Bartolo to discuss the industry’s shift from traditional infrastructure roles to development, a transition heavily influenced by AI and automation. As companies increasingly adopt "vibe coding" — the trend where developers focus on rapid prototyping and intuition-driven coding rather than rigid syntax — Anthony’s journey is a perfect example of how infrastructure professionals are embracing this new paradigm. He shared his experience moving from network engineering to full-stack development, and how AI tools helped bridge knowledge gaps. This aligns with vibe coding’s emphasis on leveraging AI-assisted development to lower entry barriers, allowing generalists to build functional applications without deep technical expertise. The discussion highlighted how AI is democratizing software creation, empowering both infrastructure specialists and non-traditional coders to build solutions quickly. While AI lowers the barrier to entry, it also raises questions about shallow expertise and long-term sustainability. Are we building real solutions or just stitching together AI-generated snippets with no real understanding? Be sure to check out the AI Tour (https://aitour.microsoft.com) A special thanks to the folks from ENow Software (https://www.enowsoftware.com) for helping us out with a location to record this episode.

In this episode we sit down with our old friend Antonio Maio. We recorded this episode at Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, and as always it was an enjoyable conversation with actionable insights. Antonio shares some tips from this Ignite talk to help you assess your environment at scale, protect your information and educate your users Antonio gives us some great information about preparing for Copilot, why it helps to encourage everyone to build their own relationship with Copilot and how to find the balance between data protection and productivity. Antonio Maio is a Managing Director and Senior Enterprise Architect with Protiviti. Based in Canada, he is an 13-time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). His work specializes in Microsoft 365, collaboration and the modern workplace, Office Apps and Services, security and compliance. Antonio’s work focuses on helping organizations assess and implement security, compliance and data governance solutions within Microsoft Cloud environments. You can connect with Antonio LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-maio-b082191/) or check out his blog (https://antonio365.com) and podcast (https://m365voice.com)

We've all been prompted to create a Passkey when logging in to online services like Google - but are Passkeys ready for enterprise use? Do we still need MFA? What's is FIDO2? We asked Microsoft MVP Darren Robinson to help us dive into the world of Passkeys & verifiable credentials. Darren helps us understand the different types of Passkeys, their use-cases and, he shares some strategies for dealing with those pesky legacy apps and authentication protocols. Darren Robinson is an Identity Architect and Microsoft MVP with over 30 years' experience in technical sales, holistic strategy, detailed design and implementation of On Premises, Hybrid and Cloud Identity & Access Management solutions across all industry verticals. You can connect with Darren on Github (https://github.com/darrenjrobinson) or check out his blog (https://blog.darrenjrobinson.com)

It seems everyone is selling AI at the moment - how can we make the most of these technologies in a measured, controlled way without exposing ourselves to data leakage or other unintended consequences? In this episode we're joined by Saaim Khan as we dive into some of the challenges faced by organizations rushing to adopt AI technologies. Saaim takes us through the role of governance in AI, the importance of a well-thought-out business case, and shares 5 simple questions to help you start taking control of your data governance. With over 20 years in IT and cybersecurity, Saaim's journey has been anything but ordinary. He initially built my career in software development and marketing before diving into cybersecurity. Today, he is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Cyber Matters. Cyber Matters advise, consult and solve cybersecurity problems in ways that are easy to understand and follow. Feel free to connect with Saaim at Cyber Matters (https://www.cybermatters.io)

Have you heard the story of malware that targets programmable logic controllers (PLCs) on industrial systems and causing fast-spinning centrifuges to tear themselves apart? How about the disgruntled employee in Australia who tampered with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system and released 265,000 gallons (~1M l) of sewage from a waste management plant? In this episode we're joined by Operational Technology (OT) Security expert Roger Hill as we discuss OT security, the convergence of OT and IT and how we can defend against OT / IOT attacks. As the Founder of Hillstrong Group Security, Roger Hill brings over 30 years of deep expertise in industrial automation and cybersecurity, specializing in OT GRC and cybersecurity for manufacturing and critical infrastructure. Throughout his career, he's consistently tackled the most pressing challenges that CISOs face in securing Operational Technology (OT) environments within the ever-evolving industrial landscape. You can connect with Roger on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerlhill/)