

Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast
Ben Stegink, Scott Hoag
Your Microsoft Cloud News from a couple of IT Pros
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2024 • 38min
Episode 386 – Exploring DevOps Tools: Maester, Pester, and SCUBA
Discover the transformative power of three DevOps tools: Maester, Pester, and SCUBA. Learn how Maester enhances testing and security in PowerShell, while Pester simplifies unit testing for Microsoft Cloud management. Explore the seamless integration of these tools to streamline workflows, improve automation, and boost security practices. The podcast dives into practical setups, troubleshooting tips, and best practices that any IT professional can implement to enhance their infrastructure and fortify their operations.

Oct 2, 2024 • 35min
Episode 385 – Microsoft Sentinel: Deployment, Management, and Cost Optimization
Welcome to Episode 385 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into deploying, managing, and optimizing Microsoft’s leading cloud-native SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution. Whether you’re new to Microsoft Sentinel or looking to deepen your expertise, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you secure your Azure environment effectively.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
What is Microsoft Sentinel?
Deployment guide for Microsoft Sentinel
Plan costs and understand Microsoft Sentinel pricing and billing
Log retention plans in Microsoft Sentinel
Prepare for multiple workspaces and tenants in Microsoft Sentinel
Centrally manage multiple Microsoft Sentinel workspaces with workspace manager (Preview)
Sentinel Content Packs
Free data sources
Automate threat response with playbooks in Microsoft Sentinel
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

Sep 12, 2024 • 35min
Episode 384 – Securing Azure: Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Dive into the intricacies of securing Azure with Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Discover effective access control strategies and the importance of virtual machine agents. Learn how to tailor security measures across various cloud platforms like AWS and GCP. The conversation also highlights essential tools for monitoring and updating the Microsoft environment, including the significance of customizing Azure policies. Explore the integration of third-party security tools and get a sneak peek into future enhancements like Microsoft CoPilot.

Aug 29, 2024 • 44min
Episode 383 – Securing Azure: Monitoring and observing your Azure estate
Welcome to Episode 383 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we continue our discussion on security, transitioning from Microsoft 365 to Azure (Episode 382 – Securing the Modern Workplace: Exploring Microsoft Entra ID Security Defaults, Conditional Access Policies, and Microsoft Secure Score) to Microsoft Azure. We begin with Azure security logging and auditing, discussing the importance of capturing and analyzing security logs to detect and respond to potential threats. Next, we delve into Azure Monitor data sources and data collection methods. Azure Monitor provides a comprehensive set of tools to collect, analyze, and act on telemetry data from your cloud and on-premises environments. Finally, we discuss how the components of Azure Monitor can be used for managing and analyzing the vast amounts of data generated in your Azure environment. We’ll explore how this platform supports advanced analytics, helps you identify trends and anomalies, and enables proactive threat detection.
Whether you’re a cloud architect, security professional, or IT admin, this episode offers practical advice and strategies for leveraging observability to enhance your security posture in Azure. Tune in to discover how you can better protect your organization by implementing effective observability practices.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Announcing mandatory multi-factor authentication for Azure sign-in
Azure security logging and auditing
Azure Monitor data sources and data collection methods
Azure Monitor data platform
Extend Azure with Azure Native ISV Services
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

11 snips
Aug 15, 2024 • 33min
Episode 382 – Securing the Modern Workplace: Exploring Microsoft Entra ID Security Defaults, Conditional Access Policies, and Microsoft Secure Score
Dive into the essentials of cloud security with insights on Microsoft Entra ID's security defaults and how they bolster safety for organizations. Discover the intricacies of Conditional Access Policies and their implementation, balancing usability and robust security. Learn about Microsoft Secure Score and how it helps assess your security posture, encouraging gradual improvements over chasing perfection. This engaging discussion equips IT professionals with the knowledge to navigate the cloud's evolving security landscape.

Aug 1, 2024 • 39min
Episode 381 – Microsoft Graph Data Connect
Discover the power of Microsoft Graph Data Connect, a service that streamlines access to Microsoft 365 data for enhanced reporting. Hear about exciting updates, including new datasets for SharePoint and insights for Power BI. The hosts share personal anecdotes, from summer storms to pickleball fun, while discussing the automation of tasks using tech tools. They also critique media coverage of tech outages and highlight the importance of community engagement in navigating these complexities.

Jul 18, 2024 • 42min
Episode 380 – The future of AD FS is cloudy
The podcast dives into alarming security breaches, spotlighting AT&T's massive data theft affecting millions. It discusses the critical need for identity protection and proactive measures like identity theft insurance. The conversation then shifts to the migration from AD FS to Microsoft Entra ID, highlighting the benefits and challenges of cloud-based identity management. Listeners also learn about innovative tools aiding in this transition and the importance of adapting to new security practices in today's digital landscape.

Jul 4, 2024 • 33min
Episode 379 – Azure Verified Modules
Dive into the world of Azure Verified Modules, where Microsoft aims to set the gold standard for Bicep and Terraform modules. Discover the benefits of this initiative and how it enhances cloud management and infrastructure as code. The hosts also share funny anecdotes about their everyday preferences, creating an entertaining backdrop for the tech talk. Learn about community involvement, governance options, and Microsoft's commitment to supporting these modules over alternatives. It's an engaging mix of humor and insight!

Jun 6, 2024 • 34min
Episode 378 – Azure Compute Fleet
Welcome to Episode 378 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode we discuss Azure Compute Fleet, a new Preview service announced at Microsoft Build 2024. Azure Compute Fleet is a new Azure infrastructure service that lets you deploy Azure compute capacity across different virtual machine SKUs, availability zones, and pricing models. It's all about acquiring VM capacity at scale. If you're familiar with AWS EC2 and Spot fleet, this is effectively the equivalent in Azure.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
GoveeLife WiFi Freezer Thermometer Alarm, Remote App Alert with Anti-False, Wireless Smart Temperature Monitor Sensor, 2 Years Free Data Storage Export, Digital Thermometer for Refrigerator Pool Tub
EC2 Fleet – Manage Thousands of On-Demand and Spot Instances with One Request
Azure Compute Fleet PREVIEW
Announcing the Public Preview of Azure Compute Fleet
Build 2024: Microsoft Announces New Azure Virtual Machines for AI and Cloud-Native Workloads
What is Azure Compute Fleet? (Preview)
FAQ for Azure Compute Fleet
Deploying Azure Compute Fleet virtual machines - YouTube
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!

May 23, 2024 • 39min
Episode 377 – Microsoft Copilot for Security
A shocking incident at Google Cloud led to total data loss for a customer, sparking discussions on the importance of robust backup strategies. The conversation then shifts to Microsoft Copilot for Security, exploring its expensive pricing and how to optimize its usage. The hosts cover the complexities of Office 365 management, the role of automation in incident response, and the need for skilled professionals in a tech-driven landscape. They even share some lighthearted moments about coffee habits and family life, bringing a personal touch to the tech talk.