Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast

By Ben Stegink, Scott Hoag

Your Microsoft Cloud News from a couple of IT Pros... more

4.8

6262 ratings

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FAQs about Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast:

How many episodes does Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 416 episodes available.

Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast episodes:

November 20, 2025Episode 415 – Diving Into Ignite 2025 for IT Pros and AI Agent Management
Welcome to Episode 415 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. Ben and Scott discuss the major announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2025, focusing on the dominant themes of AI agents and security. The conversation centers on three key areas: Security Copilot updates, Agent 365 for governance, and the broader security and management implications for IT professionals.
Key Discussion Topics
Security Copilot Expansion to E5 Customers
12 new Security Copilot agents coming to Defender, Entra, Intune, and Purview
30+ partner agents being added to the ecosystem
Major announcement: Security Copilot will now be available to all Microsoft 365 E5 customers
Rollout begins with Frontier program (Microsoft’s insider ring for Copilot)
Expanding in coming months to all E5 customers
Security Copilot spans four pillars:
Security Operations (Defender + Sentinel)
Data Security (Purview)
Identity & Access (Entra)
Endpoint Management (Intune)
Microsoft Agent 365 – The Control Plane for Agents
Addresses the critical problem of agent sprawl and governance
Think of it as “Entra ID for AI agents”
Core capabilities:
Registry: Complete inventory of all agents (registered, unregistered, and shadow agents
Access Control: Conditional access policies and risk-based policies for agents
Monitoring: Real-time visibility into agent behavior, performance, and organizational impact
Security Integration: Defender protection, Purview data governance
Key governance features:
Approve pending agent requests
Identify ownerless agents
Apply DLP policies to agents
Conditional access for agents
Secure score for agents
Available now through Frontier program in Microsoft 365 admin center
Overarching Themes
Agent security is the new frontier: All major product announcements (Purview, Entra, Defender) are focused on agent governance
100 trillion daily signals inform Microsoft’s threat intelligence
Ignite’s evolution: Less about big product launches, more about storytelling and connecting features released throughout the year
IT Pro focus: Understanding, managing, and securing AI agents is becoming a core competency
Key Observations
Ignite 2025 is heavily focused on AI and security – limited announcements for traditional products like SharePoint, Teams, or Loop
The shift reflects Microsoft’s rapid release cadence in the cloud era
Agent sprawl is real and Microsoft is proactively addressing governance needs
IT professionals need to embrace this change: “The only way out is through”
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
31min
November 06, 2025Episode 414 – When the Cloud Falls: Understanding the AWS and Azure Outages of October 2025
Welcome to Episode 414 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast.This episode covers the major cloud service disruptions that impacted both AWS and Azure in October 2025. Even the biggest cloud providers face operational challenges. Learn what happened, how it was resolved, and what IT pros should keep in mind for future resilience planning.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Back to the Future: 40th Anniversary in IMAX
[RESOLVED] Increased Error Rates and Latencies
Azure Status History
All Changes to Azure Frondoor Configuration are blocked currently.
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
29min
October 23, 2025Episode 413 – Simplifying Azure Files with a new file share-centric management model
Welcome to Episode 413 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. Microsoft has introduced a new file share-centric management model for Azure Files, aiming to eliminate the complexity of managing storage accounts. This model treats file shares as top-level Azure resources, allowing for easier automation, granular access control, and independent scaling. It also simplifies billing with transparent pricing and supports up to 1,000 file shares per subscription per region in the current preview.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Simplifying file share management and control for Azure Files
Plan to deploy Azure Files
Create an Azure file share with Microsoft.FileShares (preview)
Scalability and performance targets for Azure Files
Understand Azure Files billing models
More questions? Reach out to [email protected]
About our guest
Connect with Will Gries on LinkedIn

About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
37min
October 09, 2025Episode 412 – Microsoft Sentinel Gets a Data Lake
Welcome to Episode 412 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore three announcements from Microsoft that are reshaping how security teams work with Sentinel. From a reimagined data architecture to AI integration and new visualization capabilities, Microsoft is doubling down on making security operations more intelligent, efficient, and accessible. Whether you’re a seasoned SOC analyst or just getting started with cloud security, these updates offer powerful new ways to detect threats, investigate incidents, and understand your security posture.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Logitech MX Master 4, Ergonomic Wireless Mouse with Advanced Performance Haptic Feedback, Ultra-Fast Scrolling, USB-C Charging, Bluetooth, Windows, MacOS – Graphite
Microsoft Sentinel data lake is now generally available
Announcing Microsoft Sentinel Model Context Protocol (MCP) server – Public Preview
What is Microsoft Sentinel’s support for Model Context Protocol (MCP)?
Add Microsoft Sentinel’s collection of MCP tools
Introducing Microsoft Sentinel graph (Public Preview)
Graph models overview (preview)
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
33min
September 25, 2025Episode 411 – Securing AI with Microsoft Purview: Data Security Posture Management for AI
Welcome back to another episode of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into one of Microsoft Purview’s AI monitoring and protection capabilities: Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for AI – your secret weapon for monitoring and securing AI usage across your organization.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Learn about Data Security Posture Management
Learn about Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) for AI
Governing AI Shadow IT with the Microsoft Purview Browser Extension
Get started with the Microsoft Purview extension for Chrome
Considerations for DSPM for AI to manage data security and compliance protections for AI interactions
Learn about Microsoft Purview billing models
List of AI sites supported by Microsoft Purview Data Security Posture Management for AI
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
37min
September 11, 2025Episode 410 – Joy and Jay take over and talk Change Management
Welcome to Episode 410 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast where hosts Jay Leask and Joy Apple are joined by special guest Ben Stegink for a discussion recorded live from the North American Cloud and Collaboration Summit in Branson. In this episode we focus on how organizations must adapt their change management approaches for the Microsoft 365 cloud environment.We discuss the fundamental shift from traditional IT operations, where organizations controlled software update timing, to cloud-based services with continuous updates outside of their control. Jay and Joy emphasize that successful modern IT requires cross-functional teams where IT partners closely with business units, communications, and training departments rather than operating in isolation. We then talk about the need for a shift in governance models to empower business users while requiring IT to balance user control with necessary oversight.Key themes include the importance of ongoing communication and adoption strategies, using tools like Viva Engage communities for peer-to-peer support, and adopting a “yes, and” approach to business requests rather than defaulting to “no.” The episode emphasizes treating technology deployment as an ongoing service relationship rather than a one-time project, which is essential for success in the rapidly evolving cloud environment.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Joy Apple
Joy is a Microsoft MVP and Director of Success and Enablement at Orchestry. With years of experience as an information technologist, I’m dedicated to helping organizations implement technology with a purpose-driven, “human-first” approach, ensuring tools like Microsoft 365 empower people to do their best work.
Teaching and knowledge-sharing are at the heart of what I do. Whether it’s through volunteering in the Microsoft Community, speaking at events, or writing as the “Joy of SharePoint,” I’m passionate about helping others unlock their potential with modern workplace solutions.
Im also a cohost of the Guardians of M365 Governance podcast, where I explore the challenges and rewards of governance, and a columnist for She is Tulsa, a quarterly magazine celebrating impactful stories from my local community.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me enjoying live music or discovering new spots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, combining my love of connection and creativity wherever I go.
Jay Leask
Jay is a Principal Technical Architect at the Washington DC Microsoft Innovation Hub specializing in Modern Work. Jay facilitates discussions on modern IT practices, using 20 years of IT experience to engage customers in solutions design with a focus on increased the value and decreased risk within collaboration investments. His focus over the last 15 years has been on public sector organizations including state, local, and Federal government, as well as education institutions.
Links
Joy Apple on LinkedIn
Connect with Jay
Microsoft 365 Change Guide
Stay on top of changes in Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 Roadmap
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
33min
August 28, 2025Episode 409 – Preparing for Copilot- Securing Your Microsoft 365 Data and Beyond
Welcome to Episode 409 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott explore the configuration decisions tenant administrators face when preparing their Microsoft 365 environment for Copilot deployment. They dive into the key questions every IT professional should be asking: How do you identify and remediate oversharing in SharePoint sites before Copilot can access that content? What governance controls should be in place to prevent sensitive data from being discoverable through organization-wide search? The hosts examine practical tools for identifying high-risk sites and content, how to control which sites appear in Copilot results, and other configuration options that allow you to optimize how Copilot processes organizational content.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Data, Privacy, and Security for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Apply principles of Zero Trust to Microsoft 365 Copilot
Get started with data explorer
Data access governance reports for SharePoint sites
Semantic indexing for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Restrict discovery of SharePoint sites and content
A glimpse into the future of file sharing in Microsoft 365
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
40min
August 14, 2025Episode 408 – Model Context Protocol (MCP) Part 2: Getting the Most Out of MCP Servers
Welcome to Episode 408 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. Part two of our exploration into Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers continues our hands-on discussion about finding, implementing, and getting the most out of MCP servers in your daily workflows.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Silicon Valley: Gilfoyle Made A Bot (Season 6 Episode 1 Clip) | HBO
Lokka
What is the Azure MCP Server (Preview)?
Microsoft Learn Docs MCP Server overview
Notion MCP
Introducing Slack MCP Support
Model Context Protocol servers
Docker MCP Catalog
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
37min
July 31, 2025Episode 407 – Model Context Protocol (MCP) Part 1: The USB Port of AI Communications
Welcome to Episode 407 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into the Model Context Protocol (MCP) – a game-changing specification that’s extending the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) and creating exciting new possibilities for IT professionals working with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365.
MCP represents a significant shift toward more extensible and domain-specific AI interactions. Instead of being limited to pre-trained knowledge, you can now connect your AI tools directly to live data sources, APIs, and services that matter to your specific role and organization.
Whether you’re managing Azure infrastructure, creating content, or developing solutions, MCP provides a framework to make your AI interactions more powerful and contextually relevant to your daily workflows.
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Introducing the Model Context Protocol
Understanding MCP server concepts
Understanding MCP client concepts
A list of applications that support MCP integrations
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
31min
July 17, 2025Episode 406 – Agents of Insight: Copilot in Action and Sentinel on the Move
Welcome to Episode 406 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben and Scott discuss their recent experiences and thoughts on Microsoft’s Copilot features and agents, specifically focusing on the Researcher and Analyst agents. They share practical applications and benefits of these tools, such as using Researcher for meeting preparations and Analyst for exploring data, summarizing data, and even coming up with python script to use with data. Additionally, they cover the upcoming migration of Microsoft Sentinel to the Defender portal, discussing its implications and potential future changes for other security tools. The episode ends with a teaser about an upcoming discussion on MCPs for AI!
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Introducing Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Introducing Deep Research in Azure AI Foundry Agent Service
Get started with Researcher in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Researcher agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Analyst agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Get started with Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot
New reasoning agents: Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot
Planning your move to Microsoft Defender portal for all Microsoft Sentinel customers
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
...more
37min

FAQs about Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast:

How many episodes does Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 416 episodes available.

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