Episode Summary

In this episode, Adam Mikeal, CISO at Texas A&M University, and Tim Paikoff from Axonius break down how consolidating fragmented security data into a single view changed the way A&M tracks assets, validates policy, and tells cybersecurity's ROI story to leadership — and why AI's data access model is now keeping CISOs up at night.

Featuring

Adam Mikeal is Chief Information Security Officer at Texas A&M University - responsible for securing the university's full asset environment, with an unconventional path through history, classics, and computer-human interaction before landing in cybersecurity leadership.

Tim Paikoff runs the SLED team at Axonius - building the State, Local, and Education practice from a two-person team to a full sales, SC, BDR, and marketing operation over four years.

Timestamps

(1:38) Adam's unconventional path - from history and classics to Chief Information Security Officer

(4:00) The data problem - why the right question can't be answered from inside a single security tool

(5:00) The spaces between - why Axonius can see what individual tools never could

(7:00) Higher ed's unique exposure - student device sprawl and the identity lifecycle nightmare

(10:00) Texas A&M's four core security metrics - patching, vulnerability remediation, inventory accuracy, agent health

(14:00) Intel chip vulnerability response - how having data at your fingertips changes incident speed

(15:00) Active directory migrations in real time - watching two lines cross on a chart

(17:00) The Log4j gap - 194 instances still in production seven months after "cleanup"

(22:00) AI and the new front line - why prompt injection is the threat no contract can fix

Listen now: YouTube x Apple x Spotify

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways you can connect with TechTables:

1. 📬 The TechTables Newsletter

Thanks for reading TechTables! Get early access to new episodes, insights, upcoming events, and more - straight to your inbox.

Join now: https://www.techtables.com/

2. 🤝 Are you a local government CIO who wants to become a better leader?

Check out our high-trust, vendor-free peer group built for local government CIOs tackling real challenges, honest conversations, and an authentic desire to become a better leader - our next retreat is September 23rd-25th in Denver!

Learn more → https://techtables.com/communities-local-government

3. 🤝 The Better Together Virtual Series

The narrative-driven series bringing together industry partners and public sector CXOs. Discover the compelling stories that unfold when we stop working in silos and start building together.

»»» Email [email protected] to learn more.

Platinum Newsletter Sponsor:

Info-Tech Research Group - Missed out on Info-Tech LIVE in New Orleans? No worries, you can join TechTables & Info-Tech Research Group at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 - Las Vegas (June 9 - 11, 2026)!

Gold Newsletter Sponsor:

SentinelOne - Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure.

Verizon Frontline - The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.

Carahsoft - The Trusted Public Sector IT Solutions Provider™, supports government agencies and education/healthcare markets. Contact your Carahsoft rep today to access special discount pricing exclusively through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit techtables.substack.com