Insight On

Insight On is the podcast for leaders who make technology decisions — and need them to deliver. From CEOs and CIOs to the next wave of decision-makers in strategy, operations, and IT, you're invited into the inner circle of business and tech leadership. Each episode features a candid conversation or focused expert take exploring how real organizations across industries are choosing and using technology to drive results. Whether it's AI adoption, IT investments, or navigating change, Insight On gives you the insight you need before your next big decision.

Why AI Governance Isn't Compliance — It's Your Competitive Strategy EP | 14

AI isn't just a compliance checkbox — it's a competitive advantage. In this episode, leaders from Insight and Commvault unpack why governance is critical for innovation, how to mitigate AI-driven cyber threats, and what "agentic AI" means for identity and security.  Jump right to… 00:00 – Welcome and intro 00:46 – Why AI governance matters now 01:48 – Alan Atkinson on AI-driven cyber threats 05:26 – The rise of AI-powered attacks 06:20 – Jeremy Nelson: banning AI vs. embracing it 09:16 – Guardrails for safe AI adoption 11:11 – Mike Morgan on agile governance 14:05 – Securing experimentation with Microsoft Copilot 15:04 – Agentic AI and identity challenges 19:45 – Key takeaways and future outlook🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more tech leadership insights. Learn more: https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/expertise/cybersecurity/grc.html 

12-17
22:48

The Truth About AI Hype — And How Leaders Are Turning It Into ROI | EP 13

AI is everywhere — but most leaders are still stuck between hype and hesitation. In this episode, Insight and Microsoft execs share how they're moving from experimentation to ROI. Hear how internal use cases and agents are improving sales prospecting, how an airline used AI to optimize staffing during weather disruptions, and why empowering non-technical teams is key to scale. Plus, Logitech's Alex Mooney explains how AI is transforming device interactions, and Insight's Agentic Field Lead Sunny Wang breaks down the three tiers of agentic AI.  Jump right to…  00:00 – Welcome and intro 03:04 – Hilary Kerner (Insight) on why AI results don't match the hype 05:47 – Jeremy Nelson (Insight) on building the right AI team 07:46 – Mike Morgan (Insight) on culture, skills, and experimentation 12:02 – Julie Sanford (Microsoft) on being "Customer Zero" 16:43 – Julie Sanford (Microsoft) on culture and change management 19:17 – Bijah Gibson (Insight) on empowering non-technical teams 21:17 – Bijah Gibson (Insight) on airline staffing optimization with AI 23:07 – Alex Mooney (Logitech) on AI and device interactions 25:56 – Sunny Wang (Insight) on agentic AI and autonomous workflows 27:42 – Sunny Wang (Insight) on why humans still matter in AI workflows 30:02 – Closing thoughts and what's next    🎧 Listen now and subscribe: https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/article/getting-ai-unstuck-how-to-win-over-your-cfo-and-scale-with-confidence.html  https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/case-studies/petai-an-ai-assistant-providing-personalised-pet-care-advice.html  https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/case-studies/the-sherlock-company-automates-creative-content-at-scale-with-vertex-ai-and-sada-services.html 

12-10
30:56

The Hidden Factors That Determine AI Success | EP11

Adrian Gregory, President of Insight EMEA, shares what separates AI leaders from laggards — and it's not the tech. From internal prototyping to bold operating model shifts, Adrian explains why success starts with business outcomes, not algorithms. Learn why change management is the real differentiator, how to avoid "AI washing," and why bravery beats protectionism. Jump right to…  00:00:00 – Welcome/intro  02:14 – Why tech isn't the AI bottleneck 05:47 – The real role of change management 09:32 – Being your own client zero 13:05 – Why bravery beats protectionism 17:40 – Rethinking operating models for AI 21:18 – Rapid prototyping and internal testing 25:03 – What laggards get wrong 28:45 – Final thoughts and CTA 🎧 Explore more: • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/real-world-ai-use-cases-delivering-roi-across-industries.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/ai-agents-wont-replace-your-team-theyll-unleash-it.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/why-your-organization-needs-model-context-protocol.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/methodology/insight-prism.html

11-26
36:35

Bonus from Microsoft Ignite: Frontier Firms, AI Adoption & Agentic Future EP | 12

Live from Microsoft Ignite, this bonus episode features Alysa Taylor, Microsoft CMO for Commercial Cloud & AI, and Parker Johnston, Insight Agentic Field CTO, sharing what leaders need to know about AI adoption today. Jump right to… 00:00 – Welcome and intro 03:00 – Alysa Taylor: What is a Frontier Firm? 03:53 – Study insights: 3X ROI from AI 06:07 – The evolving role of partners 09:38 – AI in healthcare: Dragon Copilot 11:20 – Parker Johnston: Day two highlights and big announcements 12:32 – Agent 365 and security control plane 14:16 – Why failure is part of success 15:15 – Copilot and the future of work 17:40 – Misconceptions about Copilot adoption 19:20 – State of AI adoption: reality check 23:00 – Foundry and Model Router explained 24:11 – Closing thoughts and next steps You'll learn: • Why companies embedding AI into daily operations see three times higher ROI • What "Frontier Firms" are doing differently — and why it matters • How Microsoft's new Agent 365 and Foundry updates improve security and reduce costs • Practical steps for aligning Copilot with workflows instead of just buying licenses If you want real strategies for moving beyond pilots and hype to measurable outcomes, this episode is for you. 🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more business-focused tech insights. Resources: https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/methodology/insight-prism.html

11-24
24:56

High-Performing Teams Aren't Using AI — They're Working With It | EP 10

Agentic AI isn't just a buzzword — it's the next evolution of how high-performing teams work. In this episode, Michael Nardone, Cloud Solutions Director and Distinguished Technologist at Insight, joins Jillian Viner to explore how agentic AI is reshaping workflows, empowering employees, and driving business outcomes. From vibe coding to strategic imperatives for the C-suite, this is a must-listen for leaders navigating the AI era. Jump right to…  00:00:00 – Welcome/intro  00:00:03 – Why Agentic AI now – Urgency & tech adoption curve 00:00:29 – Tech eras – Internet → Cloud → Mobile → AI 00:01:36 – Defining Agentic AI – AI with decision-making power 00:03:58 – Ideas to execution – Agents completing tasks autonomously 00:05:00 – Workflow example – Automating onboarding with AI 00:06:58 – Game-changer – AI doing the legwork for you 00:09:39 – Human oversight – People enrich AI outputs 00:12:38 – Adoption reality – 48% use AI, maturity varies 00:15:01 – Enterprise use cases – Copilot, Azure AI, ServiceNow 00:17:01 – Healthcare example – AI fixing patient workflow errors 00:24:00 – Vibe coding – Creative coding flow with AI 00:26:38 – Accessibility – Lowering barriers for non-developers 00:31:18 – Agentic SDLC – Integrating AI into dev lifecycle 00:36:02 – Governance & risk – Guardrails and AI gateways 00:39:59 – Leaders' playbook – Key questions before starting 00:47:20 – Choosing platforms – Avoid lock-in, ensure flexibility 🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more Insight On: https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/insight-on Explore more: https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/case-studies/the-sherlock-company-automates-creative-content-at-scale-with-vertex-ai-and-sada-services.html https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/article/getting-ai-unstuck-how-to-win-over-your-cfo-and-scale-with-confidence.html https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/insight-on/why-pilots-fail-and-what-pragmatic-leaders-do-differently.html https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/a-cisos-guide-to-agentic-ai.html https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/expertise/data-and-ai.html

11-05
53:25

20 Security Tips for Leaders Who Hate Surprises | EP 9

Sensitive data in public AI prompts. Thousands of AI agents operating without oversight. An incident response plan that's just a PDF. These are the kinds of surprises security leaders hate — and Insight CISO Jason Rader has 20 ways to help you avoid them.   Jump right to… 00:00 – Welcome/intro 02:58 – Tip 1: Use governance to enable innovation 04:20 – Tip 2: Treat AI agents like human users 05:42 – Tip 3: Apply Zero Trust to AI workflows 07:03 – Tip 4: Use segmentation to reduce blast radius 08:15 – Tip 5: Monitor AI behavior with telemetry 09:30 – Tip 6: Build layered identity controls 10:42 – Tip 7: Use frameworks even without AI standards 12:05 – Tip 8: Avoid hoarding data for "future AI" 13:18 – Tip 9: Reduce residual risk with retention policies 14:30 – Tip 10: Align security with business goals 15:45 – Tip 11: Run tabletop exercises for AI threats 17:00 – Tip 12: Focus on real incident response 18:12 – Tip 13: Avoid "incident theater" 19:25 – Tip 14: Build cross-functional security teams 20:40 – Tip 15: Use compliance as a strategic advantage 21:52 – Tip 16: Don't block tools — build guardrails 23:05 – Tip 17: Treat governance as a growth enabler 24:18 – Tip 18: Use AI to improve security operations 25:30 – Tip 19: Prioritize developer accountability 26:42 – Tip 20: Keep security programs flexible 28:00 – Wrap-up and CTA   This episode is a holistic review of security best practices — from governance and identity to incident response and AI-specific threats. Insight CISO Jason Rader joins host Jillian Viner to share 20 practical tips for building resilient programs that support innovation without compromising control.   Whether you're a security leader, IT architect, or business exec exploring AI, you'll walk away with clear, actionable insights you can apply today.   Jason explains why governance is the real enabler of innovation, and how treating AI agents like human users helps teams apply Zero Trust principles to emerging workflows. He shares how Insight uses segmentation, telemetry, and layered identity controls to reduce risk — and why frameworks like NIST still apply, even without formal AI standards.   The conversation also covers common missteps, like hoarding data for "future AI use," and how retention policies reduce residual risk. Jason dives into incident response readiness, sharing how tabletop exercises help teams prepare for threats like prompt injection, model manipulation, and unauthorized agent behavior.   🔗 Additional resources: Client Story: https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/case-studies/mobile-gaming-leader-kabam-levels-up-defenses-with-security-deep-dive.html Ransomware readiness guide: https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/gated/a-modern-approach-to-ransomware-readiness-ac1370.html  

10-22
45:40

Inside Man: What Threat Actors Know About Your Recovery Plan That You Don't | EP 8

Insight CISO Jeremy Nelson walks through what smart cyber recovery looks like when your environment is already compromised. From executive missteps to AI-powered DeepFakes, Jeremy shares how to recover without making things worse — and how to spot the signs that your response plan isn't working. 🎯 Key takeaways: • How threat actors infiltrate response calls  • Why rushing to restore backups can backfire • What "clean room" recovery really means • Why separating executive and technical bridges is critical Watch now to learn how to build a response plan that works — even when the worst has already happened.   Does your security need backup? We've got you covered: https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/expertise/cybersecurity.html Related resources: • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/gated/a-modern-approach-to-ransomware-readiness-ac1370.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/solution-briefs/disaster-recovery-solutions.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/insight-on/ransom-attacks-are-the-new-heist-and-theyre-easier-than-you-think.html   Jump right to…  00:00: Welcome/intro 07:45: First call after a breach 08:40: Tools for threat hunting 09:29: The three tiers of cyber incidents 10:24: When the business goes offline 11:06: Why a response plan matters 15:43: Leadership missteps during recovery 17:02: The danger of executive overreach 18:15: AI and DeepFakes in cyberattacks 20:10: Threat actors on the response call 25:44: The risk of rushing to restore 27:19: Why forensics must come first  

10-15
53:25

Ransom Attacks Are the New Heist — And They're Easier Than You Think | EP 7

Cybercriminals don't need to break into your network — they just need to impersonate you. In this episode, Jeremy Nelson, CISO at Insight, walks through how threat actors use public-facing content, social media, and even dating apps to build convincing personas and launch ransomware attacks. He shares a real-world $25M deepfake scam, explains how AI is both the weapon and the shield, and outlines the internal verification protocols every company should adopt.   🎧 Listen now and explore more: https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/expertise/cybersecurity.html  Jump right to… 00:00: Welcome/intro 06:17: How attackers start with social media 08:00: Deepfakes and impersonation risks 09:48: Why AI vs. AI is the new battleground 12:05: Internal verification is your best defense 14:37: The unexpected risk of dating apps 16:23: Password reuse and dark web exposure 17:31: What attackers do after recon 20:28: CEO email compromise story 21:50: Why lurking threats matter 23:05: Humans are the weakest link  24:18: Insider threats and employee bribery

10-08
40:49

The 'Moral Crumple Zone': Who Takes the Blame When AI Makes a Mistake? | EP 06

When AI makes a mistake, who's accountable — the developer, the user, or the system itself? In this episode, Meagan Gentry, National AI Practice Senior Manager & Distinguished Technologist at Insight, unpacks the concept of agentic AI and how organizations can embed accountability into autonomous workflows. From the "moral crumple zone" to use case feasibility mapping, Meagan shares frameworks for building trust and driving ROI with AI agents. Jump right to… 00:00: Welcome/intro 03:12: What is agentic AI? 06:45: Why accountability matters now 09:30: Explainability vs. performance tradeoffs 13:10: Ownership and moral crumple zones 17:15: Mapping accountability across AI lifecycle 20:21: Empowering users with AI awareness 25:32: Human in the loop vs. human in command 27:24: What CEOs must ask before greenlighting AI 29:30: Who belongs at the AI strategy table 30:58: Culture shifts and trust in AI agents   🎯 Related resources: • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/the-truth-about-ai-agent-risks-and-what-to-do-about-them.html • https://www.insight.com/en_US/content-and-resources/blog/6-high-impact-agentic-ai-use-cases-executives-should-champion-today.html Learn more: https://www.insight.com/en_US/what-we-do/expertise/data-and-ai/generative-ai.html Subscribe for more episodes.

09-24
44:30

'Stratlock' and the AI Asterisk: Why Pilots Fail — and What Pragmatic Leaders Do Differently

Everyone — including the markets — have been buzzing and reacting to a headline about a new MIT Research Report. You've likely read or heard iterations of the headline: 95% of Gen AI pilots are failing. But there's a huge asterisk to this statement. In this episode of Insight On, CTO of Product Innovation Amol Ajgaonkar explains why leaders shouldn't take the 95% stat too seriously — and what to learn from it.  Amol breaks down the "stratlock" trap (when organizations get stuck in endless strategy and never move to execution). He also shares why pragmatic leaders focus on measurable outcomes, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what it really takes to drive AI adoption that works for people and the business.   Key topics: The difference between strategy and execution in AI projects How to build AI strategies that deliver real, measurable results The importance of starting small, iterating, and learning fast What leaders can do to move from planning to progress If you're responsible for technology decisions, budgets, or outcomes, this conversation is for you.  Listen for practical advice and real-world examples that will help you lead with clarity. 🔗 For more resources, case studies, and solutions, visit https://www.insight.com. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague. It's how we grow the conversation and help more leaders make better tech decisions. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome   06:09 - The reaction to the MIT report on AI pilot failures  10:52 - Addressing executive hype and strategy lock  15:59 - The importance of an iterative AI strategy  35:50 - Red light, green light: The AI asterisk edition  43:03 - Final thoughts on a pragmatic AI approach 

09-10
47:21

What Does the New Federal AI Action Plan Mean for Your AI Strategy? | EP 04

The public sector often gets labeled as slow, outdated, or behind when it comes to technology — especially AI. But the real story is more nuanced. In this episode, we sit down with Carm Taglienti, CTO of Insight Public Sector and Distinguished Technologist, to explore how mission-driven organizations are modernizing faster than you think, how to interpret the newly released federal AI Action Plan without spinning your wheels, and what leaders can do right now to separate hype from real progress. 

08-27
50:25

AI Can Do the Work You Hate, But Don't Get 'Coldplayed' By Your Bad Behavior | EP 3

The role of a CISO is more challenging—and more exciting—than ever. In an age of rapid AI adoption and "citizen developers," how can security leaders say "yes" to innovation while also protecting the business from new and evolving threats? In this episode of "Insight On," Jillian Viner sits down with Jeremy Nelson, Chief Information Security Officer for Insight North America, to discuss the critical shift in security from an "outside-in" to an "inside-out" approach. They dive into real-world examples of how automating bad business practices can amplify risk, the dangers of "oversharing" company data, and the crucial importance of a security-first culture that empowers employees without exposing the organization to unnecessary risk.  Subscribe to Insight On for more episodes that help you make better technology decisions  New episodes every other Wednesday Learn more at insight.com/InsightOn 

08-13
47:21

AI Is Changing How We Work — But Not in the Way Most Business Leaders Expect | EP 2

Generative AI is creating pressure across every line of business to move faster, scale smarter, and prove ROI — but where do you actually start?   In this episode, Insight CMO Hilary Kerner shares how her team is identifying real use cases, building trust in the tools, and empowering employees to lead the transformation from within. We cover what's working (and what's not), where leaders are getting stuck, and how to think beyond content generation to find value in unexpected places. Whether you lead marketing, IT, or operations, this episode offers a practical lens on AI adoption that goes deeper than the hype.  

07-30
32:37

Are You Surviving the Quarter or Shaping the Decade? How Smart CEOs Are Seizing the Moment | EP 1

Join us for the very first episode of Insight On, where we bring you the clarity you need before your next big decision. Host Jillian Viner speaks with Insight President and CEO Joyce Mullen about leading through times of instability and uncertainty.   Joyce reflects on her career, navigating unexpected and impactful events such as supply chain constraints and the rise of AI. This episode offers invaluable advice on making confident tech investments, fostering a culture of learning, and demonstrating competence, honesty, and benevolence as a leader in a rapidly changing world. Don't miss this insightful conversation. 

07-16
39:11

Introducing the Insight On podcast

Insight On is the podcast for leaders who make technology decisions — and need them to deliver. From CEOs and CIOs to the next wave of decision-makers in strategy, operations, and IT, you're invited into the inner circle of business and tech leadership.  Each episode features a candid conversation or focused expert take exploring how real organizations across industries are choosing and using technology to drive results. Whether it's AI adoption, IT investments, or navigating change, Insight On gives you the insight you need before your next big decision.  Our premier episode features Insight CEO Joyce Mullen to talk about a challenge many leaders are facing right now: how to make smart IT investments when budgets are tight and uncertainty is high. Episode 1 drops July 16. New episodes release every other Wednesday. 

07-11
01:07

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