Autonomous IT

CFOs Ziad Fanous (Automox) and David Mehok (formerly CFO of Q2) join host Evan Kiely to break down how IT transformation drives real business value—not just cost savings. They share candid lessons from decades in finance leadership on:

• Aligning IT investments with company-wide goals
• Avoiding the pitfalls of tool consolidation and vendor lock-in
• Tracking hard vs. soft savings the right way
• Communicating IT value to finance teams with clarity and impact
• Why executive alignment and continuous value proof are critical to keeping tools funded

A must-listen for IT and security leaders who want to secure budget, prove ROI, and build stronger relationships with finance.

This episode originally aired February 20, 2025

Happy Patch Tuesday! In this October episode, security specialists Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee break down some of the month’s most critical vulnerabilities — and why this batch of CVEs might just be the spookiest yet.

The duo dives deep into:

• A Unity Engine remote code execution flaw that impacts games, VR apps, and even training tools
• The Windows Hello bypass vulnerability that lets attackers inject their own biometric data to access local accounts
• A Microsoft Exchange Server privilege escalation that could expose entire inboxes

With expert insights, real-world context, and a touch of humor, Ryan and Mat unpack what these vulnerabilities mean for IT and security pros — and what steps you should take right now to stay protected

🎃 Tune in for a fast, insightful rundown of October’s top Patch Tuesday updates.

Jeremy Maldonado breaks down cybersecurity fundamentals from a real-world IT operations perspective. From phishing and social engineering to patching best practices and zero trust, Jeremy shares practical insights to help you protect your organization — starting with your own behavior.

He covers:

• Why the human factor is still your biggest vulnerability
• The basics of zero trust in everyday communication
• Social engineering red flags to watch for
• How to think strategically about patch prioritization
• Why most orgs still struggle with timely patching
• Tips for human-controlled automation using the Automox console

Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or want to tighten your patching strategy, this episode gives you a tactical refresh on where to focus your attention.

What is a CVE – and why does it matter to your patching process? Landon Miles breaks down CVEs, CVSS scores, and CNAs – covering how they work together, what to prioritize, and how to respond. Learn how to assess risk, spot active exploits, and streamline remediation with clear, actionable steps.

In this episode, Automox CISO Jason Kikta strips away the noise and focuses on the three core pillars of secure IT operations: asset inventory, patch management, and identity and access management (IAM).

Jason shares firsthand stories from U.S. Cyber Command and explains why getting the basics right isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re building a modern security program or tightening existing controls, this episode delivers clear guidance on where to focus and why.

🎧 Topics covered:

• Why attackers often know your network better than you do
• The operational impact of neglected patching
• IAM missteps that quietly open doors to breaches

Perfect for IT and security leaders looking to sharpen their foundational strategies.

In this episode of the Automox CISO IT Podcast, host Jason Kikta, CISO at Automox, explores how CISOs can advocate for automation maturity across IT and security teams. Jason breaks down why automation is critical for:

• Reducing human error and noise in detection
• Accelerating response speed during mass exploitation events
• Freeing up security teams to focus on high-value tasks
• Driving consistency and precision across IT operations

From worms of the early internet to today’s rapid weaponization of exploits like Log4j, Jason shares lessons from the field and why automation is no longer optional for security leaders. Whether you’re focused on patching, configuration, or incident response, this episode shows how automation maturity improves resilience, efficiency, and your ability to outpace attackers.

This episode originally aired February 16, 2024

In this episode of Product Talk, host Peter Pflaster sits down with JoLynn Dixon, Senior Director of Product Management at Automox, to discuss the future of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) and how Automox is shaping the path forward.

JoLynn shares her background in product leadership, the vision behind AEM, and why prioritizing customer feedback is central to Automox’s roadmap. You’ll also hear how Automox is:

• Delivering automation that reduces mean time to patch to just 17 days
• Improving the end-user experience with recent agent and tray updates
• Expanding OS coverage with day zero macOS support
• Building an ecosystem that integrates seamlessly with IT’s existing tools

If you’re an IT professional looking to cut risk, save time, and modernize endpoint management, this episode gives you a front-row seat to how Automox is leading the charge.

In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis chats with IT Help Desk Technician Emilia Keeney about her path into IT, her experience joining Automox, and why automation is the unsung hero of IT. Emilia shares her journey through an accelerated IT program, what it’s like working on a small but mighty IT team, and why even the simplest support tickets can be rewarding. The episode wraps up with a fun word association game you won’t want to miss.

This episode originally aired February 18, 2024. 

In this episode of Executive IT, host Evan Kiely sits down with Alan Taylor, COO of Maxio, to explore how IT and security shape business reliability, compliance, and growth. Alan shares his perspective as a seasoned operator in private-equity backed SaaS companies, covering:

• Why IT and security are non-negotiable investments for scaling businesses
• How Maxio structures compliance around SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI audits
• The role of IT in go-to-market, customer trust, and competitive differentiation
• Lessons from M&A integrations—where IT diligence can make or break success
• Practical advice for IT and security leaders on building cross-functional governance

Whether you’re a technology leader, operator, or business executive, this conversation offers actionable insights on making IT and security a business driver — not an afterthought.

In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis sits down with Katie Bleichman, Director of CX Operations and Enablement at Automox. Katie shares her inspiring journey from two decades in elementary education to leading customer experience in the SaaS and cybersecurity world. Discover how skills from the classroom translate into IT, what it takes to adapt and grow in a new career path, and why lifelong learning is key to success. Whether you’re considering a career shift or want to hear how customer education empowers users through Automox University, Katie’s story is filled with practical insights and motivation.