Identity at the Center

This episode of the Identity at the Center podcast delves into the complex topic of death and the digital estate (DADE). Jim McDonald hosts Dean Saxe, Heather Flanagan, and Mike Kiser, who discuss the importance of planning for digital assets after death, the cultural implications of digital identity, and the evolving role of technology in managing these assets. They emphasize the need for individuals to take proactive steps in documenting their digital estate and the challenges posed by varying legal frameworks and cultural perspectives. The conversation also touches on the future of digital identity in the age of AI and the ethical considerations surrounding it.

Episode Links:

Death and the Digital Estate (DADE) Community Group: https://openid.net/cg/death-and-the-digital-estate/

Connect with Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanhsaxe/

Connect with Heather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hlflanagan/

Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kiser/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Identity at the Center Podcast00:10 Introduction to the Death and Digital Estate (DADE) group03:07 The Role of Identity in Digital Estates06:01 Understanding Digital Estate and Its Components09:09 Community Groups vs. Working Groups in Standards11:59 The Importance of Digital Estate Management15:09 Cultural Perspectives on Digital Death18:12 Legal and Ethical Considerations in Digital Estates20:59 Future of Digital Estate Planning24:03 Conclusion and Call to Action31:33 Cultural Frameworks and Digital Estates35:12 The Importance of Protocols in Digital Estate Management39:30 Navigating Digital Wills and Estate Planning42:19 Challenges in Digital Recovery and Access45:18 Actionable Steps for Digital Estate Planning48:52 Personal Reflections on Digital Legacy50:57 The Future of Digital Remembrance54:25 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

Keywords

digital estate, death, identity management, OpenID Foundation, digital assets, cultural perspectives, technology, legal considerations, AI, planning guide

This episode is sponsored by Hush Security. Visit hush.security/idac to learn more.

In this sponsored episode of Identity at the Center, hosts Jeff Steadman and Jim McDonald spotlight Hush Security, a company emerging from stealth with an innovative approach to machine identity and access management. CEO and co-founder Micha Rave explains why traditional secrets vaults can’t keep up with today’s scale, what it means to truly go “secrets-free,” and how Hush enables visibility, governance, and operability for modern and legacy environments alike.

Discover:

• The real difference between non-human identities and static keys
• Why legacy secrets management is breaking in the cloud and automation age
• Hush Security’s journey from stealth mode to active customers
• The business case for removing vaults (and the risks with “hope and prayer” key rotation)
• How to transition to policy-based access—and measurement metrics for success
• Fun discussions on pancakes vs. waffles in security leadership (really!)

Learn more about Hush Security and get a free environment assessment: hush.security/idac

Connect with Micha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micharave/

Connect with IDAC on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com

#idac #identitymanagement #machineidentity #secretsmanagement #podcast #cybersecurity #JimMcDonald #JeffSteadman #HushSecurity #IdentityattheCenter

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and Introduction (Hosts: Jeff and Jim)

01:00 - Introducing Micha Rave and Hush Security

03:00 - Micha’s Background and the Hush Team’s Journey

06:00 - What Is Hush Security and Why Now?

09:00 - Leaving Stealth Mode: Patents and Novel Approaches

12:00 - What Makes Hush Special? Remediation vs. Visibility

15:00 - Vaults vs. Secrets-Free Approach & Industry Gaps

18:00 - Non-Human Identities: Static Keys, Secrets, and Access

22:00 - Solving Problems Beyond Cloud: Custom vs. Packaged Software

26:00 - The Scale of Machine Identity in the Cloud and Automation Age

29:00 - Why Secrets Management Is Breaking and the Case for Policy-Based Access

34:00 - From Scanning to Policy Enforcement: How Hush Works

39:00 - Metrics, Success, and Executive Buy-in for Modern IAM

43:00 - How to Get Started with Hush Security (Free Assessments)

46:00 - Micha’s Conference Plans and Final Thoughts

49:00 - Pancakes or Waffles?

Keywords:

IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Hush Security, machine identity, secrets management, secrets vault, IAM, cybersecurity, sponsored episode, non-human identities, policy-based access, vault elimination, cloud security, automation, zero trust, Micha Rave, podcast, identity management

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into the concept of device identity within a Zero Trust framework. They are joined by Shea McGrew, CTO of Maricopa County Arizona, who provides insights into the importance of managing not just human but also device identities. The discussion explores the philosophical debate on whether machines can have identities, Zero Trust principles, and their application in a diverse and semi-autonomous organizational structure like that of the county government. Shea also shares her career journey, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, customer service, and continuous learning in IT. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted conversation on the never-ending pursuit of knowledge.

Connect with Shea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shea-m-6b82a36/

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Theme

00:17 Defining Identity in Cybersecurity

01:34 Debate: Can Non-Humans Have Identities?

01:57 Guest Introduction: Shea McGrew

04:15 Shea's Career Journey and Role as CTO

09:28 Challenges and Rewards of Being a CTO

11:41 Identity Strategy at Maricopa County

14:48 Device Identity and Zero Trust Architecture

29:56 Managed vs. Unmanaged Devices

40:15 Understanding the NIST Framework

42:52 Balancing Technology and People

43:58 Training and Partner Collaboration

48:03 Organizational Change Management

50:40 Future of Device Identity

54:40 Debating Machine Identity

01:06:36 Curiosity as an Olympic Sport

01:13:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Join Jeff Steadman and Jim McDonald for the September 2025 mailbag episode of Identity at the Center! This episode features listener questions from around the world about digital identity, trust, technology challenges, inclusion, biometrics, and even a candid discussion on air travel etiquette. Whether you're new to IAM or a veteran, you'll find practical advice and real stories. Plus, hear shout-outs to our global community and learn what’s coming up for the podcast team, including conferences and game shows. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts or questions in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!

Chapter Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Community Shout-Outs

04:00 - Upcoming Conferences & Discount Codes

07:00 - What the Podcast Is All About

08:40 - Mailbag Intro: Listener Questions From Around the World

09:20 - Engaging IT with IAM Concepts (Matt in Maine)

13:20 - Building Trust in Digital Identity (Amara in India)

18:30 - Practical Challenges for Large Programs (Sophie in France)

25:45 - Digital Identity and the Unconnected (Jonas in Germany)

33:15 - Biometric Data & Security Pros/Cons (Rachel in Canada)

39:45 - Air Travel Etiquette: From Shoes Off to Elbow Room

48:10 - Outro & Thanks

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Keywords:

IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, mailbag, listener questions, digital identity, IAM, identity and access management, trust, technology inclusion, biometrics, air travel etiquette, conferences, community, YouTube, podcast, global audience, #idac

This episode is sponsored by SGNL. Visit sgnl.ai/idac to learn more.

In this sponsored episode of Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim discuss hot trends in the identity space, focusing on continuous identity with their guest Erik Gustavson, co-founder and CPO at SGNL. Erik shares his journey into the IAM space, exploratory projects, the thought processes behind SGNL’s continuous identity solutions, and provides insights on how SGNL’s approach integrates with existing identity and security tools. He delves into trends such as the convergence of identity and security, the generational change in identity tech, and the practical use cases SGNL addresses. The episode concludes with a light-hearted conversation about the perfect meal for Jeff, reflecting Eric's passion for cooking.

Connect with Erik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikgustavson/

Learn more about SGNL: https://sgnl.ai/idac

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:36 Sponsor Spotlight: SGNL

01:10 Guest Introduction: Erik Gustavson

01:41 Eric's Journey into the IAM Space

05:47 Role of a Chief Product Officer

07:54 The Concept of Continuous Identity

20:26 Data Integration and Policy Enforcement

26:40 Target Audience for SGNL

29:42 Introduction to SGNL’s Ecosystem

30:13 Complementing Existing Systems

30:44 Challenges with Current Identity Solutions

33:27 New Trends in Authorization Management

34:09 Aligning with AMP and PBA

37:58 Use Cases and Real-World Applications

46:31 What Sets SGNL Apart

48:37 Future Trends in Identity and Security

52:35 A Lighter Note: Cooking and Personal Interests

58:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, Jeff and Jim discuss various aspects of identity access management (IAM) policies and the importance of having a solid foundation. They emphasize the need for automation, controls, and how IAM policies should be created without technology limitations in mind. The discussion also covers the implementation challenges and the evolving concept of identity verification. Jeff, Jim, and their guest, Nishant Kaushik, the new CTO at the FIDO Alliance, also delve into the issues surrounding the adoption of passkeys, highlighted by Rusty Deaton’s IDPro article, and address some common concerns about their security. Nishant offers insights into ongoing work at FIDO Alliance, the potential of digital identity, and the importance of community in the identity sector. The episode concludes with mentions of upcoming conferences and an homage to the late identity expert, Andrew Nash.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:18 Importance of IAM Policies

01:36 Challenges in Policy Implementation

05:09 Conferences and Discount Codes

07:59 Introducing the Guest: Nishant Kaushik

08:42 The Role of the FIDO Alliance and Digital Identity

10:35 Concerns and Solutions for Passkeys

22:21 Final Thoughts on Passkeys and Authentication

29:48 Credential Security Concerns

30:03 FIDO Members and Their Contributions

30:38 Getting Involved in Working Groups

31:58 Conversations at Authenticate Conference

32:29 Evolution of the Authenticate Conference

34:32 Automotive Authentication Challenges

36:04 Community and Collaboration

38:33 Remembering Andrew Nash

41:41 Lightning Round: Current State of AI and Identity

44:21 Decentralized Identity: Current Trends

49:47 Non-Human Identity: Future Perspectives

52:19 New York Sports Fandom

54:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Connect with Nishant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishantkaushik/

Learn more about the FIDO Alliance: https://fidoalliance.org/

IDPro Article by Rusty Deaton: https://idpro.org/blackhat-and-def-con-2025-thoughts/

Kill the Wallet? Rethinking the Metaphors Behind Digital Identity by Heather Flanagan: https://sphericalcowconsulting.com/2025/07/22/digital-wallet-metaphor/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

In this episode of the Identity at the Center podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim engage in an insightful conversation with Darren Rolls, a veteran in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) field. They discuss the complexities of identity fabrics, the evolving landscape of IAM, the impact of AI, and the challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy systems. Darren shares his thoughts on upcoming trends, practical advice for IAM practitioners, and even his personal experience with kite surfing. Tune in to gain expert perspectives on the future of IAM and the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in this dynamic field.

Connect with Darran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darran-rolls/

Identity Innovations Blog: https://identityinnovationlabs.com/identity-insights/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:17 Discussing Identity Fabrics and Leadership Compass

03:19 Upcoming Conferences and Events

05:32 Interview with Darren Rolls: Identity Management Journey

09:09 Evolution and Challenges in Identity Management

24:41 Future of Identity Management and AI

32:05 The Future of IAM in the Age of AI

33:12 The Rise of Agent-Based Applications

34:12 Challenges in Identity and Access Management

35:31 Exploring Vibe Coding and AI Utilities

38:09 Monitoring and Telemetry in IAM

40:17 The Evolution of Identity Management

42:05 The Role of Laws in IAM Architecture

46:16 Balancing Legacy Systems with Future Innovations

51:39 Kite Surfing Adventures and Reflections

59:01 Closing Thoughts and Future Engagements

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Sponsored by Axonius. Visit https://www.axonius.com/idac to learn more.

In this sponsored episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim talk with Amir Ofek, the CEO of AxoniusX, about the company's innovative solutions in identity and access management (IAM). The discussion covers Amir's journey into IAM, the unique challenges of managing identities, and how AxoniusX's data-driven approach provides comprehensive visibility and intelligence. The episode breaks down various use cases, the importance of identity hygiene, automation of identity processes, and the newly recognized identity visibility and intelligence platform (IVIP) by Gartner.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:57 Guest Introduction: Amir, CEO of AxoniusX

01:12 Amir's Journey into Identity Access Management

02:40 Understanding Axonius and AxoniusX

08:03 The Importance of Identity Visibility and Intelligence

11:48 Challenges in Identity Management

22:10 Axonius's Approach to Identity Visibility

26:35 Leveraging AI and Machine Learning in Identity Management

31:18 Understanding Permission Changes and Their Importance

32:10 The Role of Observability in Axonius

32:37 Driving Actions with Axonius

33:30 Common Use Cases and Workflows

35:19 Axonius as a Swiss Army Knife

36:16 Ease of Use and AI Integration

38:49 Starting with Axonius and Measuring Value

43:42 Future Directions for Axonius

49:49 The Identity Community and Upcoming Events

51:23 Skiing Adventures and Tips

57:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Amir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirofek/

Learn more about Axonius: https://www.axonius.com/idac

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at idacpodcast.com

In this episode of the Identity at the Center Podcast, hosts Jeff and Jim dive into the critical intersection of cloud security and identity and access management (IAM). They are joined by experts from RSM Justin Devine, Cloud Transformation Director, and Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan, Digital Identity Director, to discuss the challenges and strategies involved in explaining complex identity topics in business terms to executives. The conversation covers the integration of IAM with cloud initiatives, the importance of automation and governance, and actionable steps for improving cloud security and identity management. The episode also touches on the evolving role of identity in cybersecurity and offers practical advice for organizations undergoing cloud migrations.

Connect with Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justindevine/

Connect with Vaishnavi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaishnavi-vaidyanathan-6913072b/

Learn more about RSM:

Digital Identity consulting: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-business-vulnerability/identity-and-access.html

Secure Cloud: https://rsmus.com/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/cybersecurity-business-vulnerability/secure-cloud.html

Check out more RSM & IDAC episodes: https://rsmus.com/insights/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/IDAC-podcast-featuring-RSMs-digital-identity-team.html

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Banter

00:37 Explaining Identity in Business Speak

04:03 Conference Season and Upcoming Events

06:19 Intersection of Cloud Security and IAM

07:05 Guest Introductions: Justin and Vaishnavi

07:37 Vaishnav's Journey in Identity

12:20 Justin's Background and Cloud Security

14:32 Cloud and IAM Strategies

29:28 Challenges in Identity Management

30:09 Identity Orchestration and Cloud Transformation

31:07 Modernizing Identity for Cloud Adoption

33:03 Importance of Identity in Advanced Cloud Implementations

37:28 Identity Security and Monitoring in the Cloud

41:34 Practical Advice for Cloud and Identity Management

53:23 Music Preferences and Final Thoughts

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com

Join Jeff and Jim in this special episode of the Identity at the Center podcast as they celebrate crossing 1 million downloads. The hosts share a major announcement, thank their supporters, and discuss the journey and future of the podcast. They also delve into the world of Identity and Access Management (IAM) with guest Anthony Viggiano, covering key topics such as access reviews, roles, data integration, and non-human identities. Anthony shares his insights on making access reviews effective, future-proofing IAM programs, and the pragmatic approaches to identity governance. Plus, learn about Anthony's passion for mountain biking and some tips for beginners. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable IAM insights and a momentous celebration!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Banter

00:33 Major Milestone Announcement

02:58 Upcoming Events and Conferences

06:54 Guest Introduction: Anthony Viggiano

09:48 Anthony's Journey into Identity

11:08 Challenges in Identity Management

12:24 Non-Human Identities and AI

16:34 Access Reviews: Security Theater?

24:08 Making Access Reviews Effective

26:29 Effective Access Reviews: Overcoming Challenges

29:29 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Insights

32:29 Exploring Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)

37:56 Centralizing Identity Governance

45:47 Future-Proofing Identity Programs

47:35 Mountain Biking: A Metaphor for Life

54:54 Closing Thoughts and Community Support

Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyviggiano/

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/

Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/

Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.com