Technology leaders must balance rapid innovation with strategic implementation as AI, security, and hybrid work reshape the business landscape.
In this episode of The Bridgecast, host Scott Kinka talks with Mike Pereira, Executive Vice President of Technology at Bridgepoint Technologies, about navigating complex technology decisions, evolving security challenges, and the future of workplace collaboration in an AI-driven world.

What you will learn:

• How to approach AI implementation through low-risk, high-value use cases while maintaining security and compliance
  
  
• Why leveraging existing platform capabilities offers safer AI adoption than building custom solutions
  
  
• The evolving role of tech advisory in helping organizations navigate increasingly complex technology decisions
  
  
• How to balance security needs across different organization sizes, from SMBs to Fortune 50 companies
  
  
• Why collaboration tools aren't one-size-fits-all and how to assess your organization's unique needs
  
  
• The critical importance of power infrastructure planning as AI and data center demands grow
  
  
• How to support and learn from technology "champions" within your organization who are already implementing solutions
  
  
• Why making informed technology decisions requires both deep expertise and practical experience in implementation

Mike Pereira is the Executive VP of Technology at Bridgepointe Technologies, bringing over three decades of experience in enterprise technology and sales engineering. Throughout his career, Mike has witnessed and guided the evolution from traditional data center environments to cloud-based, AI-powered enterprise ecosystems. As a key leader at one of the nation's fastest-growing tech advisory firms, Mike helps organizations navigate complex technology decisions while maximizing ROI. Beyond his professional expertise, Mike is a dedicated father and assistant varsity basketball coach who brings the same strategic thinking to mentoring young athletes that he applies to solving enterprise technology challenges. 
Episode Highlights:

• [04:18] The Evolution of Enterprise Technology Needs
  
  

Mike Pereira reflects on how enterprise technology requirements have fundamentally shifted over his three decades in the industry. While data remains at the center of the universe, the ways organizations connect to and leverage that data have multiplied exponentially. The complexity has grown to the point where being an expert in everything is "absolutely impossible," requiring technology leaders to build stronger teams and rely more heavily on specialized advisory services. This evolution has driven the need for tech advisory firms that can provide deep expertise across multiple domains while helping organizations navigate an increasingly complex vendor ecosystem.

• [14:20] The Current State of AI Adoption
  
  

Organizations find themselves at vastly different stages of AI readiness, from those not yet using basic AI companions for meeting notes and task generation to others building custom AI solutions for specific business processes. Mike emphasizes that companies should already be leveraging AI tools embedded in existing platforms like Microsoft or Zoom, as these provide immediate productivity gains with lower risk profiles. The key challenge isn't technical capability but rather establishing proper governance frameworks to ensure secure, compliant AI adoption while preventing employees from using unauthorized tools that create security vulnerabilities.

• [17:55] Security Strategy Across Organizational Sizes
  
  

Mike outlines a clear framework for security strategy that varies dramatically based on organizational size and resources. Small companies should leverage managed security service providers (MSSPs) rather than attempting to build internal expertise, being completely transparent about their capabilities and limitations. Large enterprises with substantial security teams focus on filling specific gaps in their comprehensive programs, often implementing multiple point solutions annually. The common thread across all sizes is the need for honest assessment of capabilities and strategic partnerships with trusted advisors who can provide objective guidance.

• [21:49] The Shadow IT Challenge and Employee Empowerment
  
  

Mike addresses the critical issue of shadow IT adoption, particularly around AI tools like ChatGPT, emphasizing that if organizations don't responsibly deploy technology for their employees, workers will find and use tools independently without IT oversight. This creates significant security and compliance risks while missing opportunities to harness employee innovation for business benefit. The solution involves proactive governance frameworks, employee education, and creating approved pathways for technology adoption that balance innovation with risk management.

Episode Resources:

• Mike Pereira on LinkedIn
• Scott Kinka on LinkedIn
• Bridgepointe Technologies Website
• The Bridgecast on Apple Podcasts
• The Bridgecast on Spotify
• The Bridgecast on YouTube