Autonomous IT

In this episode of CISO IT, host Jason Kikta, CTO of Automox, brings you insights straight from the floor of Microsoft Ignite. After meeting with customers, partners, and countless IT pros, one message came through loud and clear: reliability and consolidation matter now more than ever.

Jason breaks down why teams are exhausted by tool sprawl, frustrated by unreliable platforms, and ready to reclaim time by eliminating manual, repetitive work. From the renewed demand for a unified operational view to the rising expectation that software simply works, this conversation explores the real-world pressures facing IT in 2025.

He also dives into the industry’s growing shift toward automation and agentic AI, including how MCP servers are expanding what’s possible for modern IT environments – and why progress, not perfection, remains the guiding principle for practitioners everywhere.

Whether you’re fighting tool fatigue, navigating evolving IT stacks, or exploring the next wave of AI-driven operations, this episode offers a grounded, practitioner-first perspective from one of the most influential events of the year.

Tune in for insights from the Ignite show floor and a candid look at the future of IT operations.

In this episode of Hands-On IT, host Landon Miles breaks down what MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers are, why they exist, and how they’re transforming real-world IT automation.

Before MCP, AI assistants struggled to interact with the tools, systems, and data IT teams rely on. With the rise of open-source MCP servers, models now have a standardized, permission-aware way to reach into infrastructure, pull context, and execute workflows safely.

Landon also sits down with Henry Smith, who helped build the Automox MCP server prototype. Together, they explore:

• What MCP servers actually do and the problems they solve
• Why the open-source model matters for IT teams
• How MCP provides a clean, consistent interface for tools and data
• Real-world applications like report generation, patch policy creation, and audit log analysis
• How Automox built its own MCP server using Fast MCP
• The future of AI-driven IT operations

If you're an IT admin, security engineer, or automation enthusiast, this episode provides a clear explanation and a practical look at MCP servers in action.

Links:
Automox MCP Blog: https://www.automox.com/blog/automox-mcp
Automox MCP Git Repo: https://github.com/AutomoxCommunity/automox-mcp

In this month’s Patch [FIX] Tuesday, Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee dig into kernel flaws, WSL privilege escalation, and the growing risk of Agentic AI in developer environments. They explore how attackers are targeting AI extensions, why developer endpoints are prime targets, and what you can do to patch smarter and train your teams effectively. Stay ahead of new exploits and secure every system before threat actors get the chance.

In this episode of IT Insiders, Maddie Regis speaks with Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee from Automox's security team about the evolution of automation in security operations. They discuss their career backgrounds, the day-to-day use of Automox for security tasks, and the innovative strategies they employ to enhance automation. The conversation also covers various tools used for advanced automation and concludes with a fun game related to video games and security.

This episode originally aired September 19, 2024.

In this reflective episode of Automate IT, Jeremy Maldonado shares how gratitude has shaped his 11-year journey in IT, from his early days in customer service to building technical expertise and community. He explores the importance of mentorship, asking for help, and showing appreciation in both work and home life. As the year winds down, Jeremy invites you to pause, reflect, and celebrate the people and experiences that helped you grow in your IT career.

Dive into the creative world behind OTTOBOX: Patch or Perish, Automox’s first-ever video game. In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis chats with Senior Brand Manager Jonah Phillips about transforming patch management into an interactive gaming experience. From retro music production to villain design inspired by real IT challenges, discover how Automox blends creativity, technology, and cybersecurity culture into one epic adventure.

In this episode of the Autonomous IT, host Landon Miles dives deep into the world of vulnerabilities, exploits, and the psychology behind cyberattacks. From the story of Log4j and its massive global impact to the difference between hackers and attackers, this episode explores how and why breaches happen—and what can be done to stop them.

Joining Landon is Jason Kikta, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Automox, Marine Corps veteran, and former leader at U.S. Cyber Command. Together, they break down attacker motivations, how to recognize threat patterns, and why understanding your own network better than your adversaries is the key to effective defense.

Key Takeaways:

• The five stages of a vulnerability: introduction, discovery, disclosure, exploitation, and patching.
• Why Log4j became one of the most devastating vulnerabilities in modern history.
• How to identify attacker types and motivations.
• The mindset and methodology of effective defense.
• Why “good IT starts with good security.”

Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, IT leader, or just curious about how cyberattacks really work, this episode offers practical insights from the front lines of digital defense.

In this episode of the Hands-On IT podcast, Landon Miles interviews Anthony Maxwell, who is a software engineer at Automox. They discuss Anthony's journey from IT operations to software engineering, and his home lab setup. He discusses his favorite projects, the skills he's learned, and how he applies them in his professional life. Anthony also provides insights into using Automox for policy compliance, offers advice for those looking to start their own home labs, and shares his thoughts on virtualization, operating systems, and staying updated with technology trends.

This episode originally aired on July 25, 2024.

In this episode, host Jason Kikta talks with Dmitri Alperovitch – CrowdStrike co-founder and chairman of the Automox board – about how speed and precision define modern cyber defense. Alperovitch explores how the OODA loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act), a concept rooted in military strategy, can help IT and security teams detect, respond, and adapt to threats in real time.

They discuss why cloud-native automation is essential for staying ahead, how to close gaps between IT and security teams, and what happens when organizations react too slowly. Drawing on decades of experience in cybersecurity and threat intelligence, this conversation challenges you to rethink what it means to be fast enough to defend your environment.

This episode originally aired on June 13, 2024.

In this episode of Product Talk, host Peter Pflaster sits down with Automox Staff Security Engineer Henry Smith to discuss what it really means to be secure by default. Together, they explore how Automox builds security into the foundation of its products, from engineering practices to company culture.

You’ll learn how Automox’s “no security tax” philosophy gives every customer access to enterprise-grade protection — without hidden costs or trade-offs. Henry also shares his journey from IT support to cybersecurity engineering, offering practical advice for anyone looking to grow a career in IT or security.

Tune in to hear how Automox approaches product security, fosters trust between engineering and security teams, and collaborates with industry peers to keep customers safe.