Talking Security: Insights from Microsoft Security Experts

Join Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi in this special episode of Talking Security – Let’s Talk, where we sit down with Javier Soriano, Principal Product Manager for Microsoft Sentinel.

We dive deep into:

- The evolution of Sentinel from day zero to today

- The new Sentinel Data Lake and how it transforms long-term log retention and investigations

- Why Sentinel Graph matters for SOC teams

- The Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its role in agentic AI workflows

- What’s next for cloud-native security: automation, AI, and new operating models

If you’re curious about the future of Microsoft Sentinel and want practical insights for your security team, this episode is packed with value.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on Microsoft Security, Modern Workplace, and cloud innovations.

#MicrosoftSentinel #TalkingSecurity #CloudSecurity #DataLake #CyberSecurity #ai

Chapters:

In this episode of Talking Security – MVP Security Insights, we sit down with Ronny de Jong to explore his remarkable journey from cybersecurity MVP to his current role at Microsoft. Ronny shares insights on:

💎 His career path and what inspired him to join Microsoft

💎 The unique cybersecurity challenges facing governments and public institutions

💎 How Microsoft’s security portfolio supports national resilience

💎 Balancing innovation, compliance, and operational realities in the public sector

💎 Future trends in threat intelligence and security operations

💎 Practical advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals

💎 The meaning of true cyber resilience and moving from reactive to proactive security

Whether you’re passionate about public sector security, curious about Microsoft’s approach, or looking for career inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Chapters:

01:28 Introduction and welcome to Talking Security podcast with guest Ronnie Young

04:37 Ronnie's career journey starting with Microsoft certifications in early 2000s

07:10 Journey into modern management, Intune blogging, and early community involvement

09:22 The story of becoming a Microsoft MVP and staying humble in the community

13:04 Decision to transition from MVP to Microsoft employee and joining the security team

20:37 Cybersecurity challenges in public sector vs private enterprises

23:25 Microsoft security portfolio approach focusing on fundamentals first

32:13 Future trends in cybersecurity and the role of AI in security operations

35:35 Advice for cybersecurity beginners on frameworks, basics, and keeping it simple

46:23 Personal motivation and what keeps him energized in cybersecurity work

In this episode of Let’s Talk, part of the Talking Security podcast, Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi break down the biggest announcements from Microsoft Secure 2025.

We explore how Microsoft Sentinel is evolving into an agentic AI platform, the introduction of Sentinel Graph and Model Context Protocol (MCP), and how Security Copilot agents are changing the game for SecOps automation.

You’ll also hear about:

• Graph-based context and why it matters for threat detection
• Developer extensibility for custom connectors and AI agents
• Sentinel Data Lake for affordable long-term storage
• Real-world use cases for agentic AI in security operations

Plus, we share community highlights, upcoming events like YellowHat 2025 and KustoCon, and a fun geeky quiz to wrap things up.

👉 Question for you: If you could build your own Security Copilot agent, what would it do? Let us know!

🎙️ Stay safe, stay secure, and keep talking security!

In this episode of Talking Security – MVP Security Insights, Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi sit down with Eric Woodruff—Chief Identity Architect at Semperis and long-time identity expert—to explore his journey from managing Active Directory in the public sector to shaping cutting-edge identity strategies in the cloud era.

Eric shares what it means to truly be “in” cybersecurity, the evolving role of Entra ID, and the significance of identity research like the UnOAuthorized project. We also dive into global challenges in identity management, the balance between strong security and business agility, and how community collaboration through IDPro is driving vendor-agnostic progress.

Whether you're new to identity or a seasoned expert, this conversation is packed with real-world insights, practical advice, and forward-looking trends shaping the future of identity and access management.

⏱️ Topics include:

- Career journey and cybersecurity pivot

- Challenges guiding identity strategy at Semperis

- Identity research, Entra ID, and privilege paths

- Cloud-first learning paths and emerging trends

- Balancing airtight security with operational flexibility

- Community contributions, hobbies, and staying grounded

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Teaser

00:55 – Intro

01:24 – Introduction of the podcast

07:03 – Eric’s identity journey: From AD in the courts to cybersecurity at Semperis

09:28 – Challenges as Chief Identity Architect: Building identity strategy for SaaS

14:41 – Global identity security challenges: Public vs. private sector insights

19:43 – Research spotlight: The UnOAuthorized project and privilege path exposures

25:00 – App Registrations: Risks, visibility, and best practices

28:00 – Advice for newcomers to Identity Security

30:14 – Can you learn identity with only cloud knowledge?

32:23 – Future of Identity and Access Management: Entra ID, trends, and predictions

37:35 – Balancing airtight identity security with business agility

42:05 – The role of community: IDPro and vendor-neutral collaboration

44:32 – QuickFireFun questions

46:40 – Closing thoughts and takeaways

47:43 – Outro

📌 Subscribe for more expert interviews on identity, security, and modern workplace innovation.

In this episode of our MVP Security Insights series, we sit down with Stefan Schörling—a cybersecurity veteran with over 25 years of experience, SANS-certified professional, and Microsoft MVP.

🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:

- His journey from sysadmin to CTO of a cybersecurity-focused MSSP

- Hands-on insights into Microsoft Defender XDR and Unified Security Operations (USX)

- Balancing fast incident response with deep, automated defense

- Real-world security innovations that made a difference

- Current trends in threat intelligence and managed security

- The value of community collaboration in modern cybersecurity

🎯 Stefan also shares valuable advice for professionals looking to thrive in the Microsoft Security ecosystem.

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 Teaser

0:45 Intro

1:15 Introduction of this episode

3:10 Introduction of Stefan

5:23 Monitoring as a foundation

6:42 primary areas of expertise, and the passion for threat intelligence, incident response, and Defender XDR

10:22 Key projects as a CTO

17:55 Global and industry-specific challenges

24:10 Security innovations that drive impact

30:11 Trends shaping the future of security operations

35:32 Advice for starting security professionals

38:36 AI Question.... One tip Stefan would give his younger self

41:26 Why community matters in cybersecurity

46:18 The role of the MVP program

49:13 Personal goals and what drives him

51:12 Quickfire Fun Questions

52:30 Closing of this episode

54:14 Outro

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with MVPs, security leaders, and Microsoft experts sharing insights from the frontlines.

#Cybersecurity #MicrosoftDefender #MVPInsights #XDR #IncidentResponse #ThreatIntelligence #MicrosoftSecurity #StefanSchörling

In this episode of MVP Security Insights (Season 2, Episode 2), we sit down with Michael van Horenbeeck, Microsoft MVP for 14 consecutive years and renowned expert in identity, cloud security, and compliance.

We dive deep into:

* His journey into Microsoft Security and MVP life

* Top security challenges in regulated industries

* The impact of NIS2, ISO 27001, and the speed of change

* Trends shaping the future—AI, CoPilot agents, Zero Trust

* A fun twist: If Zero Trust were a Krav Maga move… what would it be?

* The value of community and staying grounded in a fast-moving world

🔐 Whether you're a seasoned security pro or just stepping into the world of identity and cloud security, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

👉 Chapters:

00:37 Intro

01:06 Introduction of this episode

03:26 Michael's introduction

06:00 Background & Microsoft MVP journey

08:02 Why focus on identity, cloud security, and compliance?

11:04 Security in regulated sectors

14:15 Regulations & governance challenges

17:53 Speed of change

21:02 Global cybersecurity threats

26:40 Future trends & AI

29:08 CoPilot and phishing defense

34:10 Zero Trust as Krav Maga

37:11 Community & collaboration

40:21 Personal goals & what's next

44:59 Closing this episode

46:04 Outro

🔗 Follow Michael on [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvanhorenbeeck/]

🎙️ Hosted by Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi

📢 Learn more: https://talkingsecurity.nl

#MicrosoftMVP #CyberSecurity #ZeroTrust #AI #IdentitySecurity #TalkingSecurity #MVPInsights

In this special Talking Security episode, recorded live from Microsoft HQ during the MVP Summit, hosts Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi sit down with Ofer Shezaf, the mastermind behind Microsoft Sentinel—the first truly cloud-native SIEM.

With over 30 years in cybersecurity, Ofer takes us on a journey through the evolution of InfoSec, shares the origin story of Sentinel, and unpacks what it takes to grow a billion-dollar product. From the early days of SIEM to the role of AI in modern detection and response, this episode is packed with insights, strategy, and a few fun stories along the way.

Whether you're a seasoned SOC analyst, a cloud architect, or just curious about how Sentinel became a cornerstone of modern cyber defense—this one’s for you.

👉 Topics covered:

- Why existing SIEMs weren’t enough—and how Sentinel changed the game

- Lessons from building and scaling a $1B+ cybersecurity product

- Real vs. perceived risk in product strategy

- The role of community and open-source in shaping the future of cyber defense

- Ofer’s advice for the next generation of cybersecurity leaders

Grab your Favorito drink, and let’s talk security! 🔐

In the first episode of Season 2 of our MVP Security Insights series on the Talking Security podcast, we explore the ever-evolving landscape of cloud security and delve into practical strategies with our distinguished guest, Microsoft Security MVP Truls Dahlsveen.

Truls brings deep expertise in security monitoring, SIEM, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), providing valuable insights gained from real-world experiences. Throughout the episode, we address significant cybersecurity trends, discuss innovative solutions, and highlight the essential role of community engagement in bolstering security practices.

Episode Outline:

0:26 - Intro

0:55 - Introduction of this episode

2:10 - Background and Expertise: Truls shares his journey to becoming an MVP and highlights his expertise in cloud security monitoring, SIEM, and EDR solutions.

5:35 - What are your primary areas of expertise within the realm of Microsoft technology and cybersecurity?

7:25 - Tools that are be used in the day job.

9:32 - Blogpost - https://www.infernux.no/5YearsOfSentinel - JOIN CCP - aka.ms/joinccp

12:36 - Current Projects and Focus: Discussing ongoing initiatives and how Microsoft technologies enhance security.

17:18 - How are you leveraging Microsoft technologies to enhance security in your current work?

23:15 - Global and Local Challenges: Examining major cybersecurity challenges globally and locally, including regulatory impacts.

30:30 - Future Trends and Advice: Insights into emerging cybersecurity trends and practical advice for professionals.

36:11 - Community and Collaboration: Importance of community collaboration featuring experiences from HackTheBox and TryHackMe.

42:30 - Question of AI: Creative reflections on cybersecurity roles and ultimate 'power-ups'.

45:18- Personal Insights and Goals: Truls shares his motivations and future objectives.

48:40 - What are your personal or professional goals for the coming period?

50:48 - Closing this episode

52:00 - Outro

Join us to gain actionable advice and inspiration from one of the community's leading cybersecurity experts.

In this episode of the Talking Security Podcast, we sit down with Itai Cohen from the Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps team to explore the evolution of SaaS Security — from the traditional CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) model to a broader, more proactive security strategy.

We cover:

• Why CASB isn’t enough anymore and what the future of SaaS Security looks like
• The growing threat of OAuth abuse — and why it’s such a hot target for attackers
• New innovations from Microsoft like Attack Path Analysis and Advanced Hunting for OAuth threats
• How Exposure Management is helping organizations proactively reduce SaaS risk

🎧 Whether you're a security architect, IT decision-maker, or Microsoft 365 enthusiast, this episode will help you rethink how you protect your SaaS environments.

👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your network.

📬 Got feedback or topics you'd like us to cover? Let us know in the comments or reach out via TalkingSecurity.nl!

Outline of the recording

0:00 - Intro

0:22 - Introduction of this episode

2:05 - Introduction of Itai Cohen - Microsoft

2:29 - What was the original goal of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps as a CASB solution?

4:10 - Why is Microsoft adding more capabilities on top of the traditional CASB model towards a broader SaaS Security approach?

6:08 - How do you see today’s SaaS threat landscape compared to when CASB solutions first appeared?

10:11 - Why is OAuth has become such an attractive attack vector?

13:53 - What are typical OAuth attack paths, and how do attackers exploit them?

14:50 - Microsoft blog - https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftthreatprotectionblog/protect-saas-apps-from-oauth-threats-with-attack-path-advanced-hunting-and-more/4395997-, you announced new capabilities to detect OAuth threats. Can you give us an overview of what’s new?

16:16 - How does Attack Path Analysis help customers better understand and mitigate OAuth risks?

19:10 - Advanced Hunting is now available for OAuth threats — how can security teams leverage this capability?

22:36 - What are some common mistakes you see organizations make when it comes to OAuth permissions and consent management?

26:40 - Exposure Management - How does Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps contribute to a broader exposure management approach, and how can customers use it

31:47 - How do you see the role of SaaS Security evolving within the wider Exposure Management strategy that Microsoft is building?

33:09 - How does SaaS Security fit into Microsoft’s broader security strategy, alongside Defender XDR and Entra ID?

35:33 - SaaS Security is overlooked? Why?

40:42 - If you weren’t working in security, what would you be doing instead?

42:20 - Closing the episode

43:23 - Outro

#SaaSSecurity #MicrosoftDefender #OAuth #CASB #CloudSecurity #TalkingSecurityPodcast

Join your hosts Frans Oudendorp and Pouyan Khabazi in this month's episode of "Let's Talk" on the Talking Security podcast. We dive into critical cybersecurity developments from March, including Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday addressing seven zero-day vulnerabilities (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-march-2025-patch-tuesday-fixes-7-zero-days-57-flaws/), and emerging OAuth app attack campaigns targeting Microsoft 365 accounts (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fake-security-alert-issues-on-github-use-oauth-app-to-hijack-accounts/, https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/malicious-adobe-docusign-oauth-apps-target-microsoft-365-accounts/).

We highlight important updates across Microsoft security solutions, such as Microsoft Defender for Office's improved reporting tools, Defender for Identity's Enhanced Identity Inventory (preview) (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-for-identity/identity-inventory), and Defender for Cloud Apps' new RBAC scoping for behaviors (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/manage-admins, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-cloud-apps/behaviors). We also discuss the new GA release of on-demand malware scanning in Defender for Storage, capable of scanning blobs up to 50 GB, and introduce the preview of the Defender for Cloud Cost Calculator.

Stay informed with our community spotlight featuring Rod Trent's Security Copilot prompts (https://github.com/rod-trent/Security-Copilot/tree/main/Prompts/Workshop), and get your calendars ready for upcoming industry events, including the Swiss Microsoft Security Summit, ExpertsLive 2025, Microsoft Secure, and RSAC.

Plus, tune in for a fun geeky trivia about the first-ever internet domain!

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and let's talk security!