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Firewalls, MFA and patching still matter. But if your team is using AI, is an enterprise plan enough to keep company data safe? Josh talks with David Stevenson, Empyrean’s Cyber Lead, about shadow AI, what staff put into prompts, and what AI agents can access. They discuss practical guardrails beyond a subscription, including data loss prevention (DLP) to block or redact sensitive information, and the concept of an AI “harness”—a governance layer that applies consistent rules across the models your team uses.

AI is changing the speed and scale of cyber threats, giving attackers new ways to automate, personalise and accelerate attacks. In this episode, Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden speak with leading CISO Dr Kawin Boonyapredee about what this shift means for organisations and the people responsible for protecting them. They explore how agentic AI is changing attack and defence, the growing challenge of deepfakes and shadow AI, and emerging security priorities for IT leaders.

Microsoft Corporate VP of Fabric, Yitzhak Kesselman, joins Josh and Tom to explain why operational efficiency — not just productivity AI — is the real multiplier, and how Fabric delivers the fresh data and context needed to make it happen. Drawing on conversations with hundreds of customers, Yitzhak explains how most companies are still stuck in front-end AI use cases while the bigger opportunity lies in using their own business data to drive better decisions and automated actions. He walks through why fresh, high-granularity data and curated business context are essential for AI agents to reason effectively, and how Microsoft Fabric brings these pieces together through OneLake, Real-Time Intelligence, and Fabric IQ. The discussion covers practical advice for mid-market CIOs, the shift from pure analytics to operational systems, the role of ontologies in making AI more accurate and cost-efficient and why speaking the language of business outcomes is critical when making the case for investment.

He's back! Recorded on Australia’s King’s Birthday while Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, dialled in fresh from DynamicsMinds in Slovenia, this episode looks at AI in the enterprise through the lens of real conferences, real customers and real partner pain. Andrew shares what he’s seeing on the ground: how AI strategy and architecture sessions land, why the old implementation‑plus‑services model is under pressure, and what partners and customers need to change in how they structure, fund and deliver AI projects. Expect a mix of war stories, sharp takes and practical guidance for anyone in the Microsoft orbit. Andrew is the founder, managing partner and chief strategy officer of Cloud Lighthouse, drawing on battle-tested experience helping enterprises worldwide convert AI hype into tangible results.

Andrew Welch, global AI technologist and thought leader, joins us to ask a confronting question: are you using AI to amplify your judgment, or quietly outsourcing your brain? He dishes up real-world stories from the enterprise front lines, unpacking how leaders can cut through the hype, avoid “prompt theatre” and build organisations where AI actually serves human flourishing, exploration and culture. Andrew is the founder, managing partner and chief strategy officer of Cloud Lighthouse, bringing hard-won lessons from helping enterprises around the world turn AI buzz into real-world outcomes.

Josh and Tom break down how to actually use agentic AI in the enterprise – from Copilot-style platform agents to specialist off‑the‑shelf tools

A trillion dollars in SaaS value wiped and AI can now build apps in hours. Tom and Josh unpack the “SaaSpocalypse”, who’s really at risk, and how IT leaders can consolidate and renegotiate.

Dark LLMs and ransomware-proof backups collide with recruitment resets and the rise of non-human identities. Josh and Tom share practical predictions on security, governance, and digital provenance so Enterprise IT leaders can brace for 2026.

Ignite 2025 showed where Microsoft is really placing its bets. Tune in to our end of year podcast, and for an insightful analysis of the implications for IT leaders responsible for scale, security and adoption.

Join Josh and Tom in a deep dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment, with Randstad CIO Chris English sharing real-world wins, challenges and what’s coming next for talent tech. A candid chat on the future of hiring, the rise of agentic AI, and how businesses can prepare their people, processes and tech for the next wave of change. This episode also explores where AI genuinely moves the needle in recruitment and what still needs a human touch.

How do you turn messy, siloed data into fuel for AI? In this episode, Empyrean’s Data Lead Siva Shivaganken joins Josh and Tom to explain the journey from raw to refined data, using practical analogies, real customer stories, and advice on implementing data lakes and medallion architectures that actually deliver business value. The panel put Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, and Databricks head-to-head. They break down the pros, cons, and use cases of each — helping IT leaders choose the right fit for their people, budget, and business goals.

Josh and Tom are joined by Empyrean IT Cyber Security Practice Lead, David Stevenson to unravel why 78% of employees bring their own AI tools to work—often on personal devices—and how IT leaders can secure sensitive data without stifling innovation.

In this episode, Tom and Josh unpack the concept of AI ecosystem architectures - a strategic approach to navigating the chaos of rapid AI adoption. They explore how CIOs and IT leaders can shift from fragmented, ad hoc implementations to a structured, scalable, and secure foundation for AI. From governance and data consolidation to application modernization and two-speed delivery models, this episode offers pragmatic advice for future-ready IT organizations.

Join Tom and Josh as they reveal the seven essential forces every IT leader needs to drive business success. From aligning IT with business strategy to building a skilled team, mastering vendor relationships, and tackling cybersecurity, this episode is packed with real-world advice and no-nonsense insights. Perfect for anyone serious about making technology work—now and into the future. Tune in for: The real reason IT is so often misaligned with the business (and how to fix it)The “Kevin Problem” – and why some IT heroes become unexpected roadblocksWhy great vendor management is the secret weapon you’re probably ignoringThe pragmatic path to cybersecurity (without breaking the bank)How to finally get your data ready for AI (hint: it’s not about the tools!) This is the episode every tech leader needs to hear. Get match fit for the future—press play now!

Broadcom bought VMware… and broke it for the little guys. We break down what’s changed, who’s hurting most, and what alternatives like Proxmox and Nutanix bring to the table. Empyrean IT Cloud and Infrastructure Director, Andrew Petrie joins Josh and Tom for this no-spin take on your next virtualization move.