Identity at the Center

In this episode of Identity at the Center, recorded live from Identiverse 2025 in Las Vegas, Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman are joined by special guests Diane Vicezar and Arynn Crow. Diane is a recent recipient of the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation's (DIAF) prestigious Kim Cameron Award, and Arynn is the Director of Governance and Transparency for DIAF.Join us for a conversation about breaking into the identity and access management (IAM) industry. Diane shares her journey from a college intern at Microsoft to a full-time employee in the identity space, and what her experience has been like as a first-time attendee at Identiverse. Arynn provides valuable insights into the mission of DIAF, which aims to make professional development in identity more accessible through merit-based awards like the Kim Cameron Award for newcomers and the Victoria O'Connor Award for established professionals.The group discusses the critical question of how the industry can attract new talent. Do people choose a career in identity, or does it choose them? They explore the importance of outreach to universities, the power of social media, and reframing the narrative around identity to focus on its mission-driven impact on society. From career ceilings and the role of AI to favorite conference sessions and hallway conversations, this episode is packed with insights for both seasoned professionals and those just starting their identity journey.Chapter Timestamps00:00:10 - Welcome to Identiverse 202500:02:21 - Introducing Diane Vicezar and Arynn Crow00:03:00 - What is the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation (DIAF)?00:05:33 - Diane's Experience as a Kim Cameron Award Winner00:07:26 - The Legacy of Kim Cameron and Vittorio Bertocci00:10:17 - How Did You Get Into Identity?00:12:08 - How to Attract New Talent to the Identity Industry00:16:51 - Reframing the Conversation Around Identity's Mission00:20:27 - Is There a Career Ceiling in Identity?00:22:34 - Advice for Those Starting Their Career in Identity00:27:10 - The Future of AI in the Identity Industry00:28:32 - Favorite Sessions at Identiverse 202500:34:15 - If You Were a Potato, How Would You Be Prepared?00:36:20 - Closing RemarksConnect with Diana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianavicezar/Connect with Arynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arynn-crow-821761103/Learn more about the Digital Identity Advancement Foundation: https://digitalidadvancement.org/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.comKeywordsIDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Diane Vicezar, Arynn Crow, Digital Identity Advancement Foundation, DIAF, Kim Cameron Award, Identiverse 2025, Identity and Access Management, IAM, Career in Identity, Cybersecurity, Professional Development, Women in Identity, Identity Industry, Microsoft, AI in Identity, FIDO, Passkeys, Verifiable CredentialsHashtags#idac #Identiverse #DigitalIdentity #IAM #Cybersecurity #CareerDevelopment #WomenInTech #DIAF #KimCameronAward

Sean O'Dell, who specializes in identity security at The Walt Disney Company, shares insights from Identiverse 2025. He discusses the importance of continuous identity management and event-driven architecture. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of AI in identity access management, challenges in identity verification, and the complexities surrounding non-human identities. O'Dell emphasizes the need for prescriptive policies and the adoption of shared signals frameworks to enhance device identity and security practices.

This episode is sponsored by Trusona. Visit trusona.com/idac to learn more.In this episode of the Identity of the Center podcast, Jeff and Jim discuss identity verification challenges with Ori Eisen, the founder and CEO of Trusona. The conversation explores the problems surrounding help desk authentication and how Trusona's new product, ATO Protect, aims to address these issues by confirming caller identities, even in scenarios involving social engineering and advanced AI threats. Ori explains the technology behind document scanning, data triangulation, and geolocation to validate identities. The episode also includes an intriguing hack challenge for listeners to test the robustness of Trusona's solutions. Check out the detailed demo on Trusona's website and join the challenge!Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Excitement01:16 Introducing the Guest: Ori Eisen from Trusona02:11 The Problem with Passwordless Authentication03:53 The Rise of Gen AI and Its Impact on Security04:51 Understanding ATO Protect and Its Importance16:10 How ATO Protect Works: A Step-by-Step Guide27:51 The Puppeteering Scam Unveiled28:24 Fingerprinting the Fraudsters29:11 Real-Time Fraud Detection Demo29:42 Challenges in Penetration Testing30:08 Combating Man-in-the-Middle Attacks30:41 The Ultimate Security Challenge33:44 Verifying Caller Identity41:24 Future Threats in Cybersecurity42:10 AI: The Double-Edged Sword49:08 Issuing the Hack Challenge52:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Ori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orieisen/Learn more about Trusona: https://www.trusona.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.comKeywords:IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Trusona, Ori Eisen, Identity Verification, Help Desk Security, Service Desk, Passwordless, Authentication, KBA, Knowledge-Based Authentication, Cybersecurity, Identity and Access Management, IAM, Multi-Factor Authentication, MFA, Zero Trust, Identity Proofing#IDAC #Trusona #Passwordless #Cybersecurity #IdentityManagement #HelpDesk #ZeroTrust

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, Jeff and Jim broadcast live from Identiverse 2025. Special guest Andrew Shikiar from the FIDO Alliance joins to talk about efforts to push passkey adoption and reduce reliance on passwords. Topics covered include the technicalities of passkeys, their adoption by major banks like Wells Fargo, and initiatives for adding more signals for high assurance scenarios. The episode wraps up with exciting news about the upcoming Authenticate conference and plans for an Authenticate APAC edition in Singapore.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:16 Podcast Highlights and Recent Activities01:38 Guest Introduction: Andrew Shikiar from FIDO Alliance01:58 FIDO Alliance and Passkey Adoption07:13 Technical Insights on Passkeys14:52 Authenticate Conference and Community20:20 Global Adoption and Regional Differences25:13 Conclusion and Wrap-UpConnect with LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewshikiarLearn more about the FIDO Alliance: https://fidoalliance.org/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

Welcome to a special game show edition of 'Identity at the Center,' hosted by Jeff Steadman! Recorded live at Identiverse 2025, this episode features two teams—Team IDPro (Heather Flanagan, Tina Srivastava, and Mike Kiser) and Team IDAC (Jim McDonald, David Mahdi, and Steven Rennick)—competing in a Family Feud-style trivia game focused on Identity and Access Management (IAM). Watch as they answer questions related to common IAM project failures, non-human identities, snacks at conferences, and popular conference swag with a little help from the audience. Stick around to the end for a special IAM-themed rap performance by Tina.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:18 Meet the Teams03:10 Explaining the Rules04:20 Round 1: Common Reasons for IAM Project Failure07:52 Round 2: Non-Human Identities in IAM11:33 Introduction and Initial Questions11:55 Fun with Vegas Snacks15:00 Final Round: Common Swag Items18:40 Conclusion and FarewellConnect with the contestants:Heather Flanagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hlflanagan/Tina Srivastava: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-s-8291438a/Mike Kiser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kiser/David Mahdi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmahdi/Steven Rennick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-rennick/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

This episode is sponsored by Silverfort. Visit silverfort.com for more.In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, Jeff and Jim sit down with Hed Kovetz, CEO and Co-founder at Silverfort. They discuss the rapid evolution in the identity security space, Silverfort's groundbreaking innovations, and the critical role of AI and non-human identities. Learn how Silverfort's inline, real-time enforcement technology is tackling the complexities of identity management at scale. Hed also shares insights on the company's recent expansions and acquisitions, and the growing importance of AI agent security. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the future of identity security!00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:14 Sponsor Spotlight and Industry Insights01:15 Silverfort's Recent Developments02:17 Identity Security Market Trends04:46 Challenges in Identity Governance07:14 Non-Human Identities and AI10:39 Silverfort's Unique Approach18:52 Service Account Security29:59 Reducing Risk with Virtual Fencing30:45 Addressing Human and Non-Human Identity Risks31:34 Overcoming the Fear of Breaking Systems32:35 Simulation Mode for Trust Building35:20 Challenges in Manual Identity Management36:12 AI Agent Security: The New Frontier42:10 The Importance of Inline Security55:50 The Ideal Identity Security Playbook01:00:38 Closing Remarks and ResourcesConnect with Hed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hed-kovetz-910ba5b9/Learn more about Silverfort: https://www.silverfort.com/Insecurity in the shadows: New data on the hidden risks of non-human identities: https://resources.silverfort.com/insecurity-in-the-shadows/homeThe Identity Security Playbook (eBook): https://www.silverfort.com/resources/the-identity-security-playbook/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

Join Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman on the Identity at the Center podcast as they welcome Lalit Choda, founder and CEO of the Non-Human Identity Management Group. Lalit, also known as "Mr. NHI," shares his journey from investment banking to becoming a leading expert in non-human identities. This episode delves into the critical and often overlooked world of NHI, exploring why it's such a hot topic now, the challenges practitioners face in managing these identities, and how to approach the problem from a risk-based perspective. Lalit discusses the limitations of traditional PAM and IGA tools for NHI, the importance of foundational controls, and the alarming implications of AI on non-human identity management. Plus, hear a fun segment about vinyl records and some surprising finds!Chapter Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to Lalit Choda and the NHI Community00:02:31 - Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast & IdentiVerse Discussion00:06:18 - Lalit Choda's Identity Origin Story: From Mr. SOX to Mr. NHI00:12:03 - Why Non-Human Identities Are a Big Deal Right Now00:15:37 - Defining NHI and the Practitioner's Framework00:19:13 - The Scale and Challenges of NHI Management00:23:01 - New Types of NHI and Tooling Limitations00:27:12 - The Lack of a Single Source of Truth for NHI00:33:57 - Prioritizing NHI Management and the Role of PAM00:38:58 - A Risk-Based Approach to NHI and Foundational Controls00:48:15 - What Scares Lalit Most About NHI (and AI)00:50:54 - Lalit's Impressive Vinyl Collection00:56:38 - Jim and Jeff's First, Best, and Favorite Albums01:01:15 - The Intersection of Music and Non-Human Identities01:02:00 - Wrapping Up & Where to Find More InformationConnect with Lalit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalit-choda-5b924120/Non-Human Identity Management Group: https://www.nhimg.org/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.comKeywords:Lalit Choda, Non-Human Identity, NHI, Machine Identity, Workload Identity, Identity Management, Cybersecurity, PAM, IGA, Privilege Access Management, Identity Governance and Administration, Secrets Management, Cloud Security, AI, Artificial Intelligence, DevSecOps, Risk-Based Approach, Identity Security, Service Accounts, Identity at the Center, IDAC, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, IdentiVerse, Vinyl Collection, Podcast, Mr. NHI#idac #nonhumanidentity #machineidentity #cybersecurity #identityaccessmanagement #IAM #infosec #digitalidentity #workloadsecurity #devsecops #cloudsecurity #privilegedaccessmanagement #identitygovernance #zerotrust #nhi #mrnhi

This episode features various professionals discussing their experiences and journeys in the identity and access management (IAM) field during a meetup in Oslo, Norway, and Berlin, Germany. Participants include individuals from the Central Bank of Norway, Space Norway, and newcomers to the IAM space, among others. The event, promoted as 'IdentitBeer,' highlights networking, the evolution of IAM, challenges faced, and the importance of honest relationships in business development. Key topics include the history and growth of IdentiBeer, community impact, and personal anecdotes about working in IAM.Chapters00:00 Welcome to Identity at the Center00:18 Meet the Identity Experts01:49 Discovering the Faces Behind Identity02:07 Sarah's Journey into Identity06:47 Tips for Building Client Relationships13:13 Espen's Origin Story and IdentiBeer17:05 Expanding IdentiBeer Globally22:58 IdentiBeer Meetup in Asheville23:30 Organizing IdentiBeer Events24:34 IdentiBeer at Identiverse25:55 Reflections on Identity Community26:07 Identity Professionals' Introductions28:17 AI and Identity Management30:04 Identity Journeys and Experiences31:26 Challenges in Identity Management34:08 Identity in Cybersecurity45:37 Closing Remarks and CheersFind your next IdentiBeer event: https://identi.beer/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#idac #IdentityAtTheCenter #IdentiBeer #IAM #IdentityandAccessManagement #Oslo #Berlin #Norway #Germany #Cybersecurity #InfoSec #TechCommunity #Networking #IdentityManagement #DigitalIdentity #TechPodcast #ITSecurity #AccessManagement #IdentiBeerOslo #IdentiBeerBerlin #JimMcDonald #JeffSteadman

Join Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman on Identity at the Center as they sit down with Kristina Yasuda, Product Owner, and Dr. Torsten Lodderstedt, Project Lead for the German EUDI Wallet project. Recorded at EIC 2025, this episode delves into the ambitious European Union initiative to create a digital identity wallet for all its citizens.Kristina and Torsten discuss the vision behind the EUDI Wallet, the political will driving it, and the funding making it a reality. They explore the challenges and complexities of aligning multiple parties, standardizing technical specifications, and the goal of digitizing everything from government-issued IDs to driving licenses and ePrescriptions.Learn about the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (SPRIN-D), the importance of a transparent and collaborative development process, and how Germany aims to provide a secure, privacy-preserving, and interoperable digital wallet ecosystem. The discussion also touches on digital sovereignty, the role of platform providers like Google and Apple, the aggressive timelines, and the potential global impact of this initiative.Find out how the EUDI Wallet aims to put users in the driver's seat, ensure non-discriminatory access, and foster a flourishing digital economy in Europe.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Vision, Political Will, and Funding00:50 Blockchain vs Federated Identity: Bridging the Gap01:47 Welcome to the Identity of the Center Podcast03:18 Meet the Guests: German EUDI Wallet Project03:42 Christina's Journey into Identity06:05 Torsten's Background in Identity08:31 The EUDI Wallet Project: Scope and Goals12:19 Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Identity15:38 Production and Adoption of Digital Wallets20:53 Digital Sovereignty and Interoperability26:16 Government's Role in Digital Identity26:54 Certification and Recognition of Wallet Providers27:21 Cultural Differences in Government-Provided IDs27:53 Challenges and Timelines for Digital Wallet Implementation28:25 Legal Obligations and Compliance29:10 Public vs. Private Sector in Digital Identity30:13 Barriers to Widespread Adoption31:26 Complexities of Wallet-Based Systems33:23 Global Interoperability and Standards33:59 Technical Specifications and Convergence36:05 Multi-Step Process for Implementation38:26 Transition Period and Global Considerations42:49 Digital Driver's License and Real-World Applications46:17 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook46:23 Fun and Lighthearted EndingConnect with Kristina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinayasudaConnect with Dr. Torsten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-torsten-lodderstedt/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.comKeywords:EUDI Wallet, Digital Identity, European Union, Germany, Kristina Yasuda, Torsten Lodderstedt, Identity Management, Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), Digital Sovereignty, Interoperability, Technical Standards, OpenID, Verified Credentials, Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, Sprint, EIC 2025, Government Issued ID, Digital Transformation, Privacy, Security, User Control, Mobile Driver's License, IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald#EUDIWallet #DigitalIdentity #EuropeanUnion #Germany #KristinaYasuda #TorstenLodderstedt #IdentityManagement #SelfSovereignIdentity #SSI #DigitalSovereignty #Interoperability #OpenID #VerifiedCredentials #EIC2025 #GovernmentID #DigitalTransformation #Privacy #Security #UserControl #MobileDriverLicense #IDAC #IdentityAtTheCenter #JeffSteadman #JimMcDonald #DigitalWallet #EU

This episode is sponsored by Duo. Visit duo.com to learn more.Join Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman on this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, brought to you by Duo! We welcome back Matt Caulfield, VP of Duo and Identity at Cisco, to discuss the ongoing "identity crisis" in security, where 60% of attacks have identity as a key component. Matt introduces Duo's new Security-First IAM, a revolutionary approach that prioritizes security by making it the default, enabling easy passwordless adoption, and building in phishing resistance from day zero.Discover how Duo is differentiating itself in a crowded market by focusing on end-to-end phishing resistance capabilities and user-centric security. Matt shares insights into Cisco's innovation culture, drawing from his experience as a founder and the integration of acquired technologies like ORT into Duo's identity intelligence, including a new trust scoring mechanism to identify compromised accounts.We also delve into the powerful insights from Cisco Talos, whose research on identity-based attacks directly influences Duo's product development, and how customer feedback is shaping the future of identity security. Explore the exciting innovations in authentication, including Duo's proximity verification for phishing-resistant, passwordless access, and the continuous authentication capabilities powered by Duo Desktop and Identity Intelligence.Finally, Matt discusses the impact of AI on identity security, both in enabling attackers and enhancing defense mechanisms like the new Duo AI assistant for administrators. The conversation concludes with a look into the future of identity, including the challenges and opportunities presented by machine and agentic AI identities, and the critical need for advanced authorization solutions.Don't forget to visit duo.com for more information!Chapter Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to the Identity Crisis and Security First IAM00:02:22 - Welcome to the Identity at the Center Podcast & Sponsored Episode Introduction00:03:00 - Introducing Matt Caulfield and His Journey at Duo/Cisco00:04:35 - Defining the Digital Identity Crisis00:06:04 - Understanding Security-First IAM00:07:17 - Differentiating Duo's Identity Solution00:08:36 - Cisco's Acquisition Strategy and Continued Innovation00:10:55 - The Impact of Cisco Talos Intelligence00:14:39 - Customer Insights and Challenges in Identity00:16:50 - Is Authentication Solved? Innovation in Phishing Resistance00:19:32 - AI's Impact on Identity Security and Future Threats00:21:55 - How Duo is Leveraging AI Internally and for Customers00:24:00 - Duo's Repositioning: From MFA to Identity and Access Management00:25:27 - Shifting Metrics of Success for Duo Customers00:27:44 - Workforce, Extended Workforce, and B2B Use Cases for Duo IAM00:29:48 - Deep Dive into Proximity-Based Authentication00:32:31 - The Importance of Phishing Resistance in Duo's Strategy00:35:57 - Continuous Authentication and Shared Signals Framework00:39:07 - Identity as a Core Pillar of SASE00:40:32 - Why Shared Signals Framework is a Key Investment for Duo00:43:25 - Future Outlook for Identity Practitioners: Passwordless and AI00:46:27 - Agentic AI and the Future of Authorization00:48:53 - Jim's Swag Tips for Identiverse00:51:57 - Final Thoughts from Matt CaulfieldConnect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcaulfie/Learn more about Duo: https://duo.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#idac #IdentitySecurity #Cybersecurity #DuoSecurity