
Let's Talk Azure!
Listen with Alan Armstrong and Sam Foot as we talk about all things Microsoft Azure!
We are both technical consultants working with Azure day in, day out. Alan focuses on Identity and Security automation while Sam is a .NET developer deploying PaaS and SaaS solutions on Azure.
Each episode we have a topic we cover and we highlight some key news that we are interested in. No fluff, sales or products here, just two technical people having a light hearted chat.
Latest episodes

Mar 14, 2025 • 48min
S6E7 - Microsoft updates February - new products and features released
Discover the latest innovations from Microsoft as key features in Entra, Intune, and Defender take center stage. Learn about enhancements in Microsoft Defender XDR, including new reporting options and advanced security functions. Dive into Intune's updates with Windows AI configurations and crucial data privacy measures. Explore exciting Azure updates like a free offer for SQL databases and transitions to Visual Studio Code. Plus, find out about the latest security improvements and compliance updates in the ever-evolving Microsoft landscape.

5 snips
Feb 21, 2025 • 50min
S6E6 - Protect your servers with Defender for Server
Alan and Sam dive into Defender for Cloud's Protective workload for server. Alan goes through the different plans available and the features that are available. Here are a few things we covered:
What is the Defender for Server Protective workload
What features does it provide
How easy is it to enable
How much does it cost
What did you think of this episode? Give us some feedback via our contact form, Or leave us a voice message in the bottom right corner of our site.Read transcript

Feb 14, 2025 • 52min
S6E5 - Securing Your Data: Exploring Defender for Databases in Microsoft Defender for Cloud
In this episode, we dive into the world of database security with Microsoft's Defender for Databases. Join us as we explore how this tool within Microsoft Defender for Cloud can transform your approach to safeguarding your data against cyber threats.
Topics Covered:
Introduction to Defender for Databases
Features and Capabilities
Enabling and Configuring Defender for Databases
Responding to Alerts
What did you think of this episode? Give us some feedback via our contact form, Or leave us a voice message in the bottom right corner of our site.

Feb 7, 2025 • 48min
S6E4 - Microsoft updates January - new products and features released
Discover the latest innovations in Azure, with exciting updates on Azure NetApp Files, hibernation features for virtual machines, and the next-gen Azure Databox. The hosts dive into key Microsoft products like Entra, Intune, and Defender, discussing their vital security updates and the implications of shadow AI on IT. Learn about data privacy trends in app downloads and the challenges of insider risk management. Plus, catch previews of upcoming features in Microsoft Defender for SQL that will enhance your cloud security!

Jan 31, 2025 • 49min
S6E3 - How can CSPM help fortify your defences
Alan and Sam discuss why it is important to have Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solutions in place. Alan goes through the general benefits of CSPM, enhancements since its release and dives into Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Topics that are covered are:
What is Cloud Security Posture Management and why it is important
What is Microsoft Defender for Cloud’s approach to CSPM
What is Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark
what are the pricing tiers for CSPM
What did you think of this episode? Give us some feedback via our contact form, Or leave us a voice message in the bottom right corner of our site.Read transcript

Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 5min
S6E2 - Securing the API Gateway: A Deep Dive into Microsoft Defender for APIs
In this episode, we explore the critical world of API security through the lens of Microsoft Defender for APIs. Join us as we discuss how this tool can safeguard your APIs in increasingly cloud-centric environments.
Topics Covered:
Introduction to Defender for APIs
What it is and why it matters in today's cloud landscape.
Who should care about API security?
Key Features of Defender for APIs
Inventory management and visibility.
Security findings and vulnerability assessment.
Real-time threat detection based on OWASP API Top 10.
Integration with other Azure and security tools.
Benefits for Businesses
Enhanced API security posture.
Compliance with regulatory standards.
Mitigating risks in API lifecycle management.
What did you think of this episode? Give us some feedback via our contact form, Or leave us a voice message in the bottom right corner of our site.Read transcript

Jan 17, 2025 • 39min
S6E1 - Microsoft updates December - new products and features released
The hosts dive into the latest Microsoft updates, exploring key enhancements in Entra, Intune, and Defender. They discuss advanced features in Defender XDR and Sentinel, emphasizing improved security capabilities. Azure Automation's new service limits and updates for MySQL bindings in Azure Functions are highlighted. The podcast also covers optimized scanning intervals for cloud connectors and the evolving landscape of cloud security. Exciting future topics are teased, including insights on Defender for APIs.

Dec 13, 2024 • 1h 1min
S5E42 - Season 4 Finale!
The hosts reflect on their season highlights and favorite episodes while expressing gratitude to their listeners. They discuss exciting advancements in generative AI and security challenges, emphasizing the necessity of adapting to evolving technology. Insights into community feedback reveal its critical role in shaping new features, particularly for Copilot. The conversation also touches on AI integration into daily life and predictions for 2025, all while anticipating the next season's debut in January 2025.

Dec 6, 2024 • 36min
S5E41 - Manage your patching processes using Azure Update Manager and Hotpatch
Alan and Sam discuss the process organisations go through to manage patches. Alan dives into some of the tooling and covers:
Why is patch management important and what are some of the issues you can run into
what tooling can help with patch management for servers
What is Azure update manager
What is hotpatch for Windows servers
What did you think of this episode? Give us some feedback via our contact form, Or leave us a voice message in the bottom right corner of our site.Read transcript

Nov 29, 2024 • 58min
S5E40 - Microsoft updates November - New features and updates from Ignite 2024
This week, the hosts dive into the highlights from the Microsoft Ignite event in Chicago. They explore exciting updates like the rebranding of Microsoft 365 Copilot and its innovative AI features. Discussion further reveals enhancements in cloud security and integrated solutions, particularly surrounding Microsoft Defender and Data Loss Prevention. The practicality of the new Windows 365 Thin Client is examined, raising questions about its compatibility for remote work. Exciting advancements in Azure and serverless GPUs for AI workloads are also on the table!