Identity at the Center (IDAC) podcast

RSM and IDAC present “The intersection of cybersecurity and digital identity,” with Tauseef Ghazi

In this episode, Jeff and Jim discuss the growing importance of digital identity in cybersecurity. Joined by Tauseef Ghazi, the risk consulting practice leader at RSM, the conversation explores the challenges and opportunities within the sector. They delve into the apprenticeship model in cybersecurity, the skills gap and the impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. The episode also touches on the relevance of frameworks, the concept of zero trust, and the importance of staying curious and continually investing in one's skills. Tauseef shares his professional journey, insights on building effective cyber teams, and the importance of balancing personal passions with professional growth.

RSM and IDAC present “Risk management and digital identity,” with Matt Franko

Join Jeff and Jim as they speak with Matt Franko, a principal at RSM, about the critical role of identity in cybersecurity. Matt discusses how risk management and digital identity intersect, providing insights into top attack vectors like phishing and weak passwords. They delve into the importance of strong identity practices and share real-world examples of risk scenarios. The episode also touches on the organizational structure of IAM, the significance of user awareness, and the potential of AI and cloud in enhancing security. As a special treat, Matt shares his passion for coaching youth sports, highlighting values and lessons learned from the field.

RSM and IDAC present “Compliance and digital identity,” with Kia Smith

In this episode, Jeff and Jim delve into the intricacies of compliance, governance and cybersecurity with Kia Smith, a director in RSM's cyber risk and data protection practice. They explore the foundational role of compliance with legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the crucial need to align governance with security, and the rising complexity of regulatory environments driven by third-party dependencies. Kia provides valuable insights into the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its widespread implications for industries beyond defense. The discussion also touches on the relevance of contractual language in risk management, the role of AI in compliance frameworks, and the importance of continuous compliance validation.

RSM and IDAC present "The intersection of attack surface management and identity," with Dan Lauritzen

We’ve got a great new episode of the Identity at the Center podcast for you. We continue with part four of our series on the intersection of cybersecurity with digital identity with RSM US LLP. This time, we get into attack surface management (ASM) with RSM Defense’s Dan Lauritzen to explore why breaking down silos between identity teams and security operations centers is more important than ever. Attack surface management isn’t just about your internet-facing systems anymore — your identities are part of the attack surface too.

RSM and IDAC present "The intersection of cloud security and IAM" with Justin Devine and Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into the critical intersection of cloud security and identity and access management (IAM). They are joined by RSM specialists Justin Devine, cloud transformation director, and Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan, digital identity director, to discuss the challenges and strategies involved in explaining complex identity topics in business terms to executives. The conversation covers the integration of IAM with cloud initiatives, the importance of automation and governance, and actionable steps for improving cloud security and identity management. The episode also touches on the evolving role of identity in cybersecurity and offers practical advice for organizations undergoing cloud migrations.

RSM and IDAC present "Trust, Transparency, and Technology: Building Better MSP Partnerships," with Mike Reiring

Jim McDonald and Jeff Steadman sit down with Mike Reiring of RSM at InfoSec World 2025 to explore how managed service providers are reshaping IT and identity operations. They dig into the differences between MSPs and MSSPs, how to choose the right partner, and how AI is transforming help desks, problem management, and security monitoring. The conversation closes with a fun dive into Mike’s passion for photography and how creativity ties into continuous learning in tech.

RSM and IDAC present "The intersection of resiliency, recovery and IAM" with Rich Servillas and Charles John

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, host Jeff Steadman is joined by RSM colleagues Rich Servillas and Charles John to explore the critical intersection of identity access management, operational resilience, and disaster recovery. Rich, a director from the cyber response group, shares insights from the front lines of ransomware and cloud intrusions, while Chuck, director of operational resilience, discusses the importance of business continuity planning. The conversation covers the true impact of security incidents on brand reputation and operations, the necessity of out-of-band communication, and why identity is often the first thing challenged and the last thing trusted during a crisis. The guests also provide practical advice for IAM professionals on reducing blast radius through standing privilege reduction and robust logging.

IDAC sponsor spotlight: “RSM digital identity”

In this episode, Jim and Jeff sit down with Chad Wolcott, a managing director at RSM. They discuss Chad's journey into the identity industry, the role and vision of RSM, and the future of the identity industry. The conversation also touches on the importance of identity consulting and the constant evolution of the field. They conclude with some lighthearted banter about the most unusual jobs they’ve held.