Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

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!

Welcome to Episode 410 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast where hosts Jay Leask and Joy Apple are joined by special guest Ben Stegink for a discussion recorded live from the North American Cloud and Collaboration Summit in Branson. In this episode we focus on how organizations must adapt their change management approaches for the Microsoft 365 cloud environment.We discuss the fundamental shift from traditional IT operations, where organizations controlled software update timing, to cloud-based services with continuous updates outside of their control. Jay and Joy emphasize that successful modern IT requires cross-functional teams where IT partners closely with business units, communications, and training departments rather than operating in isolation. We then talk about the need for a shift in governance models to empower business users while requiring IT to balance user control with necessary oversight.Key themes include the importance of ongoing communication and adoption strategies, using tools like Viva Engage communities for peer-to-peer support, and adopting a “yes, and” approach to business requests rather than defaulting to “no.” The episode emphasizes treating technology deployment as an ongoing service relationship rather than a one-time project, which is essential for success in the rapidly evolving cloud environment. 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 Joy Apple Joy is a Microsoft MVP and Director of Success and Enablement at Orchestry. With years of experience as an information technologist, I’m dedicated to helping organizations implement technology with a purpose-driven, “human-first” approach, ensuring tools like Microsoft 365 empower people to do their best work. Teaching and knowledge-sharing are at the heart of what I do. Whether it’s through volunteering in the Microsoft Community, speaking at events, or writing as the “Joy of SharePoint,” I’m passionate about helping others unlock their potential with modern workplace solutions. Im also a cohost of the Guardians of M365 Governance podcast, where I explore the challenges and rewards of governance, and a columnist for She is Tulsa, a quarterly magazine celebrating impactful stories from my local community. Outside of work, you’ll often find me enjoying live music or discovering new spots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, combining my love of connection and creativity wherever I go. Jay Leask Jay is a Principal Technical Architect at the Washington DC Microsoft Innovation Hub specializing in Modern Work. Jay facilitates discussions on modern IT practices, using 20 years of IT experience to engage customers in solutions design with a focus on increased the value and decreased risk within collaboration investments. His focus over the last 15 years has been on public sector organizations including state, local, and Federal government, as well as education institutions. Links Joy Apple on LinkedIn Connect with Jay Microsoft 365 Change Guide Stay on top of changes in Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 Roadmap About the sponsors Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

In this discussion, experts tackle the critical configuration decisions for Microsoft 365 before deploying Copilot. They focus on preventing oversharing in SharePoint and implementing governance controls for sensitive data. Practical tools and strategies for site management are explored, aiming to optimize how Copilot processes organizational content. There's also a light-hearted segment featuring amusing outdoor anecdotes, providing a refreshing break from the serious tech talk. The conversation highlights the future of file sharing in an evolving digital landscape.