Autonomous IT

Ashley sits down with Steve Engler from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau to explore his journey from taking apart his first computer to becoming a certified Automox expert and system admin.

Stephen shares how he:

• Transitioned from the Air Force into IT
• Unlocked the full potential of Automox in a previously underused environment
• Built a hands-on lab to test Linux and Windows automation
• Earned all three Automox University certifications
• Became a go-to expert through community collaboration and scripting

This episode originally aired July 21, 2024

Ready or not, Windows 11 is here. In this episode of Product Talk, Peter and Steph break down how IT teams can simplify the Windows 10 to 11 migration — without disrupting users or pulling all-nighters. From Worklets for readiness checks and silent upgrades to insights on hardware eligibility and inventory improvements, learn how to take control of your upgrade path with Automox. Plus, a sneak peek at dynamic groups, RHEL 10 support, and what’s next in automation.

In this episode of IT Insiders, host Maddie Regis sits down with Ted Harapat, Senior Systems Engineer at Automox, for a candid and compelling look into the world of Linux, cybersecurity, and the origins of IT careers.

Ted shares how a midnight knock on his window sparked a decades-long journey into IT, what it’s like to support and expand Automox’s Linux agent, and why Linux isn't as intimidating as it seems. 

🔥 Highlights:

• How Ted got into IT thanks to a surprise 1 a.m. “interview”
• Behind the scenes of supporting 2x Linux distributions at Automox
• Ted’s dual life as an IT expert and volunteer firefighter
• Why exploring config files is the best way to learn Linux

Whether you're a sysadmin, Linux enthusiast, or just here for the pirate jokes, this episode is packed with insights and fun. Don’t miss it!

This episode originally aired March 15, 2024

How can IT and the business work better together—without sacrificing speed, security, or sanity? In this episode of Executive IT, host Evan Kiely is joined by Volker Otto, a seasoned IT executive, to explore how teams can bridge the gap between user experience and technical requirements. They dive into the rise of business relationship managers, mapping the end-user journey, balancing risk with usability, and the power of proactive communication. Whether you're in IT, operations, or leadership, this episode offers real-world insights on building stronger, more strategic partnerships across the organization.

In this episode, Landon Miles interviews Jon Levenson, the manager of content and community at Automox, about the importance of creativity in IT and how to foster a creative environment. Jon shares his background as a former actor and how he fell into tech, as well as his experience in copywriting and podcast writing. They discuss the key elements of creating a creative environment, such as putting the work first and fostering collaboration. Jon also shares techniques for offering feedback and inspiring creativity, including the Liz Lerman Critical Response Structure. Jon and Landon discuss the importance of inviting coworkers to engage in creative work and the value of listening and creating a space for sharing ideas without fear of judgment.

Links:
- Liz Lerman Critical Response Process
- We Can Do Hard Things Podcast 

This podcast originally aired August 8, 2024.

June’s Patch [FIX] Tuesday unpacks a lighter-than-usual Windows patch cycle — but don’t get too comfortable. Join Automox cybersecurity experts as they break down high-risk vulnerabilities across macOS and Windows, including:

• A chained SSH vulnerability (CVE-2025-26465 & CVE-2025-26466) that allows memory exhaustion and bypasses host key verification
• A WebDAV remote code execution flaw (CVE-2025-33053) actively exploited in the wild
• Multiple macOS threats, from sandbox escapes to keychain access and privilege escalation

The team also shares patching strategies, mitigation tips, and password hygiene advice you’ll want to follow.

Is tech easier than people? For many IT pros, the answer is a resounding yes. In this episode, Landon Miles tackles one of IT’s biggest challenges: managing user expectations while maintaining your own mental wellbeing.

You’ll learn how to balance empathy with efficiency using proven frameworks like ITIL, SRE, and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Discover the people skills that drive career growth—active listening, clear communication, and trust-building—and why vulnerability (yes, that kind) belongs in your IT toolkit.

In this episode of the Automate IT podcast, Jeremy Maldonado discusses the importance of engaging with executive teams and the necessity of clear communication within organizations. He emphasizes the value of understanding team dynamics, preparing effectively for discussions, and aligning goals with organizational priorities to foster collaboration and drive success.

This episode originally aired February 4, 2025. 

RSA 2025 revealed a shift: identity is now a primary threat vector in cloud security. In this episode, Jason Kikta breaks down the key takeaways from the conference—why identity has overtaken malware, how threat actors exploit service accounts and IDPs, and what this means for modern defense strategies. Plus, Jason shares observations on the evolving risk landscape and whether Black Hat will follow RSA’s lead.

Whether you're a CISO, CTO, or security architect, this episode is your briefing on where the industry is headed.

In Episode 17 of Product Talk, Peter Pflaster and Steph Rizzuto walk you through the latest enhancements in the Automox console that help you work smarter — not harder. Discover how the new Agent Configuration settings let you choose between stable and beta release channels, control auto-upgrades, and manage endpoint behavior — all without submitting a support ticket.

Then, explore the updated patching analytics dashboards. You can measure mean time to remediate (MTTR), track patch impact and performance, and identify exactly where to improve your risk mitigation strategy.

You'll also get a sneak peek at upcoming summer releases, including 300+ new device inventory data points and a redesigned device details page. Plus, scheduling policy now syncs automatically with Patch Tuesday — with flexible offsets.

Tune in to stay ahead of vulnerabilities, streamline your workflows, and make data-driven decisions across your IT environment.