The Cloud Architects Podcast

You turned on MFA, you finished your security awareness training, and you think you're covered. You're probably not... Five years after his first visit, Donovan Stevens from SpyCloud is back to show us how much of our digital lives is already sitting in the criminal underground, and how little it takes to piece it all back together. Starting from nothing but a name, he can work his way to phone numbers, old email accounts, home addresses and family members. Our "secure" logins are handing attackers the keys after we've already passed MFA. And somewhere, a new hire at a household-name tech company isn't who their resume says they are. They may not even be in the country. We get into the phishing kits that make MFA irrelevant, the bots watching your inbox for the word "invoice," and one of the strangest insider threat stories we've ever heard on the show. Nic also asks the question everyone should be asking: who gets to use data like this, and how do we know it's the good guys? Stick around to the end, because there's good news too.

Episode 104: "Vibe" Coded! by The Cloud Architects

Almost Ten years and 100+ episodes in, we reunite for a conversation that has nothing to do with prompts and everything to do with the infrastructure most of us still actually run. In this episode we're joined by Claudia Perez, who's spent the last several months leading a complex Windows 11 deployment and brings a refreshingly practical take on modern endpoint management. We dig into why Windows is far from dead, why identity and data - not the device - are where every modernization journey should start, and how to think about the messy reality of hybrid-joined environments still tethered to on-prem print servers, file shares, and legacy apps. In this episode we also dig into: * Why "identity is the new perimeter" should drive your endpoint strategy, not the other way around * The TPM/certificate refresh looming in June, and why proactive beats reactive (again) * The BitLocker bypass disclosure and rethinking how we protect local resources * Copilot on the PC: block it, embrace it, or protect the data and trust your users? * Why "the patches are coming" - AI-driven vulnerability discovery and whether ring-based deployment still holds up * Greenfield vs. brownfield: where to actually start, and why apps are the most underestimated piece of the puzzle A practical, occasionally irreverent conversation about maturing the basics — patching, management, identity - for the real world of normal infrastructure.

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)