Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

Ben tries to persuade Scott to add a 3D printer to his desk and they trade stories about filament, print projects, and setup challenges. They compare high-resolution monitors, ergonomics, and workspace simplification. UPS replacements, motion and mmWave sensors for home automation, and a new Logitech MX Master mouse round out their gadget-focused conversation.

Join John Joyner, a seasoned expert in cloud security and a Microsoft MVP, as he dives into the cutting-edge world of AI-driven security innovations. Discover the new Security Store and how it enhances user experience with Security Compute Units (SCUs). John explains the benefits of AI agents, including the phishing triage agent, and their role in optimizing security tasks. Learn about the strategic consolidation of security services into the Defender XDR portal and how Microsoft is making advanced security more accessible for enterprises.

Cat Schneider, a seasoned data specialist and Power Platform enthusiast, chats with Ben at the Workplace Ninjas US conference. They dive into the theme of 'anti-AI,' reminiscing about tech before AI's rise. Cat shares her insights on managing SharePoint permissions using Power Automate, the challenges of migrating file shares to SharePoint, and the pitfalls of deep folder structures. They also recount humorous conference stories, including late-night adventures and community bonding moments.

Welcome to Episode 417 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast, Jay Leask joins Ben once more as the two of them recap their experience at Workplace Ninjas US in Dallas, Texas. They discuss conference highlights, the unique hackathon, engaging sessions, the Clippy Bucks system, and the importance of community and inclusion. The conversation also covers upcoming events, memorable attendee interactions, and new traditions for future conferences. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Jay Leask on LinkedIn Workplace Ninja’s US Follow Workplace Ninjas US on LinkedIn Workplace Ninja’s US Microsoft Zero Trust Guidance Center Microsoft Zero Trust Assessment Tool Conditional Access Ben’s YouTube video on Authentication Context and Conditional Access About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Henrik Wojcik, a Senior Cloud Specialist and Microsoft MVP in Security, dives into critical discussions about Microsoft Sentinel, emphasizing its integration with the Defender suite and Data Lake. He shares insights on EU regulations like NIST-2 and DORA that mandate long-term log retention for security purposes. They explore cost strategies for managing extensive log data in financial sectors and highlight the potential of Security Copilot in automating security tasks. Their conversations also touch on the challenges and experiences from the Ignite conference.

Ben and Scott explore exciting developments from Ignite 2025, focusing on AI agents and security. They unveil the expansion of Security Copilot, now accessible to Microsoft 365 E5 customers with new agents and partner integrations. The discussion also highlights Microsoft Agent 365, designed to tackle agent sprawl and enhance governance. With capabilities like real-time monitoring and security control, this tool aims to streamline agent management, making IT operations more efficient. Tune in for insights on the future of IT governance and AI!

In October 2025, both AWS and Azure faced significant disruptions due to DNS outages. The hosts delve into the root causes, including complex microservices and configuration changes that amplified the failures. They discuss how even multi-cloud strategies, exemplified by Starbucks, weren't foolproof against outages. Insights into Azure’s internal service changes and the technical issues leading to AWS failures are highlighted. The conversation wraps up with recommendations for IT pros on improving disaster recovery plans and communication protocols.

Will Gries, a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft with extensive experience in storage and Azure Files, discusses the new file share-centric management model for Azure Files. He explains how this model simplifies management by making file shares top-level resources, enhancing automation and access control. The conversation dives into scaling benefits, transparent pricing, and how it reduces confusion between Blob and Files protocols. Will also touches on future enhancements like SMB integration and customer-managed keys, making Azure Files easier for IT teams to handle.

Welcome to Episode 412 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore three announcements from Microsoft that are reshaping how security teams work with Sentinel. From a reimagined data architecture to AI integration and new visualization capabilities, Microsoft is doubling down on making security operations more intelligent, efficient, and accessible. Whether you’re a seasoned SOC analyst or just getting started with cloud security, these updates offer powerful new ways to detect threats, investigate incidents, and understand your security posture. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options. Show Notes Logitech MX Master 4, Ergonomic Wireless Mouse with Advanced Performance Haptic Feedback, Ultra-Fast Scrolling, USB-C Charging, Bluetooth, Windows, MacOS – Graphite Microsoft Sentinel data lake is now generally available Announcing Microsoft Sentinel Model Context Protocol (MCP) server – Public Preview What is Microsoft Sentinel’s support for Model Context Protocol (MCP)? Add Microsoft Sentinel’s collection of MCP tools Introducing Microsoft Sentinel graph (Public Preview) Graph models overview (preview) About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Discover how Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) can safeguard your AI landscape. Learn about the necessary components to enable DSPM for AI, including auditing and browser extensions. Dive into the nuances of licensing and billing, and explore effective deployment strategies for DLP policies. The discussion highlights the importance of monitoring AI interactions and sensitive data detection, as well as the governance needed for compliance and security. Tune in for essential insights on managing AI in your organization!