Identity at the Center

#375 - Mailbag for September 2025

Join Jeff Steadman and Jim McDonald for the September 2025 mailbag episode of Identity at the Center! This episode features listener questions from around the world about digital identity, trust, technology challenges, inclusion, biometrics, and even a candid discussion on air travel etiquette. Whether you're new to IAM or a veteran, you'll find practical advice and real stories. Plus, hear shout-outs to our global community and learn what’s coming up for the podcast team, including conferences and game shows. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts or questions in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!Chapter Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & Community Shout-Outs04:00 - Upcoming Conferences & Discount Codes07:00 - What the Podcast Is All About08:40 - Mailbag Intro: Listener Questions From Around the World09:20 - Engaging IT with IAM Concepts (Matt in Maine)13:20 - Building Trust in Digital Identity (Amara in India)18:30 - Practical Challenges for Large Programs (Sophie in France)25:45 - Digital Identity and the Unconnected (Jonas in Germany)33:15 - Biometric Data & Security Pros/Cons (Rachel in Canada)39:45 - Air Travel Etiquette: From Shoes Off to Elbow Room48:10 - Outro & ThanksConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.comKeywords:IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, mailbag, listener questions, digital identity, IAM, identity and access management, trust, technology inclusion, biometrics, air travel etiquette, conferences, community, YouTube, podcast, global audience, #idac

#374 - Sponsor Spotlight - SGNL

This episode is sponsored by SGNL. Visit sgnl.ai/idac to learn more.In this sponsored episode of Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim discuss hot trends in the identity space, focusing on continuous identity with their guest Erik Gustavson, co-founder and CPO at SGNL. Erik shares his journey into the IAM space, exploratory projects, the thought processes behind SGNL’s continuous identity solutions, and provides insights on how SGNL’s approach integrates with existing identity and security tools. He delves into trends such as the convergence of identity and security, the generational change in identity tech, and the practical use cases SGNL addresses. The episode concludes with a light-hearted conversation about the perfect meal for Jeff, reflecting Eric's passion for cooking.Connect with Erik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikgustavson/Learn more about SGNL: https://sgnl.ai/idacTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:36 Sponsor Spotlight: SGNL01:10 Guest Introduction: Erik Gustavson01:41 Eric's Journey into the IAM Space05:47 Role of a Chief Product Officer07:54 The Concept of Continuous Identity20:26 Data Integration and Policy Enforcement26:40 Target Audience for SGNL29:42 Introduction to SGNL’s Ecosystem30:13 Complementing Existing Systems30:44 Challenges with Current Identity Solutions33:27 New Trends in Authorization Management34:09 Aligning with AMP and PBA37:58 Use Cases and Real-World Applications46:31 What Sets SGNL Apart48:37 Future Trends in Identity and Security52:35 A Lighter Note: Cooking and Personal Interests58:32 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com

#373 - Going Passkey Phishing with Nishant Kaushik

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, Jeff and Jim discuss various aspects of identity access management (IAM) policies and the importance of having a solid foundation. They emphasize the need for automation, controls, and how IAM policies should be created without technology limitations in mind. The discussion also covers the implementation challenges and the evolving concept of identity verification. Jeff, Jim, and their guest, Nishant Kaushik, the new CTO at the FIDO Alliance, also delve into the issues surrounding the adoption of passkeys, highlighted by Rusty Deaton’s IDPro article, and address some common concerns about their security. Nishant offers insights into ongoing work at FIDO Alliance, the potential of digital identity, and the importance of community in the identity sector. The episode concludes with mentions of upcoming conferences and an homage to the late identity expert, Andrew Nash.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:18 Importance of IAM Policies01:36 Challenges in Policy Implementation05:09 Conferences and Discount Codes07:59 Introducing the Guest: Nishant Kaushik08:42 The Role of the FIDO Alliance and Digital Identity10:35 Concerns and Solutions for Passkeys22:21 Final Thoughts on Passkeys and Authentication29:48 Credential Security Concerns30:03 FIDO Members and Their Contributions30:38 Getting Involved in Working Groups31:58 Conversations at Authenticate Conference32:29 Evolution of the Authenticate Conference34:32 Automotive Authentication Challenges36:04 Community and Collaboration38:33 Remembering Andrew Nash41:41 Lightning Round: Current State of AI and Identity44:21 Decentralized Identity: Current Trends49:47 Non-Human Identity: Future Perspectives52:19 New York Sports Fandom54:33 Conclusion and Upcoming EventsConnect with Nishant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishantkaushik/Learn more about the FIDO Alliance: https://fidoalliance.org/IDPro Article by Rusty Deaton: https://idpro.org/blackhat-and-def-con-2025-thoughts/Kill the Wallet? Rethinking the Metaphors Behind Digital Identity by Heather Flanagan: https://sphericalcowconsulting.com/2025/07/22/digital-wallet-metaphor/Connect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

#372 - Exploring the Evolution of Identity Management with Darren Rolls

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim engage in an insightful conversation with Darren Rolls, a veteran in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) field. They discuss the complexities of identity fabrics, the evolving landscape of IAM, the impact of AI, and the challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy systems. Darren shares his thoughts on upcoming trends, practical advice for IAM practitioners, and even his personal experience with kite surfing. Tune in to gain expert perspectives on the future of IAM and the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in this dynamic field.Connect with Darran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darran-rolls/Identity Innovations Blog: https://identityinnovationlabs.com/identity-insights/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter00:17 Discussing Identity Fabrics and Leadership Compass03:19 Upcoming Conferences and Events05:32 Interview with Darren Rolls: Identity Management Journey09:09 Evolution and Challenges in Identity Management24:41 Future of Identity Management and AI32:05 The Future of IAM in the Age of AI33:12 The Rise of Agent-Based Applications34:12 Challenges in Identity and Access Management35:31 Exploring Vibe Coding and AI Utilities38:09 Monitoring and Telemetry in IAM40:17 The Evolution of Identity Management42:05 The Role of Laws in IAM Architecture46:16 Balancing Legacy Systems with Future Innovations51:39 Kite Surfing Adventures and Reflections59:01 Closing Thoughts and Future EngagementsConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

#371 - Sponsor Spotlight - Axonius

Sponsored by Axonius. Visit https://www.axonius.com/idac to learn more.In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim talk with Amir Ofek, the CEO of AxoniusX, about the company's innovative solutions in identity and access management (IAM). The discussion covers Amir's journey into IAM, the unique challenges of managing identities, and how AxoniusX's data-driven approach provides comprehensive visibility and intelligence. The episode breaks down various use cases, the importance of identity hygiene, automation of identity processes, and the newly recognized identity visibility and intelligence platform (IVIP) by Gartner.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:57 Guest Introduction: Amir, CEO of AxoniusX01:12 Amir's Journey into Identity Access Management02:40 Understanding Axonius and AxoniusX08:03 The Importance of Identity Visibility and Intelligence11:48 Challenges in Identity Management22:10 Axonius's Approach to Identity Visibility26:35 Leveraging AI and Machine Learning in Identity Management31:18 Understanding Permission Changes and Their Importance32:10 The Role of Observability in Axonius32:37 Driving Actions with Axonius33:30 Common Use Cases and Workflows35:19 Axonius as a Swiss Army Knife36:16 Ease of Use and AI Integration38:49 Starting with Axonius and Measuring Value43:42 Future Directions for Axonius49:49 The Identity Community and Upcoming Events51:23 Skiing Adventures and Tips57:54 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Amir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirofek/Learn more about Axonius: https://www.axonius.com/idacConnect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com