In this episode of CISO IT, host Jason Kikta, CTO of Automox, brings you insights straight from the floor of Microsoft Ignite. After meeting with customers, partners, and countless IT pros, one message came through loud and clear: reliability and consolidation matter now more than ever.
Jason breaks down why teams are exhausted by tool sprawl, frustrated by unreliable platforms, and ready to reclaim time by eliminating manual, repetitive work. From the renewed demand for a unified operational view to the rising expectation that software simply works, this conversation explores the real-world pressures facing IT in 2025.
He also dives into the industry’s growing shift toward automation and agentic AI, including how MCP servers are expanding what’s possible for modern IT environments – and why progress, not perfection, remains the guiding principle for practitioners everywhere.
Whether you’re fighting tool fatigue, navigating evolving IT stacks, or exploring the next wave of AI-driven operations, this episode offers a grounded, practitioner-first perspective from one of the most influential events of the year.
Tune in for insights from the Ignite show floor and a candid look at the future of IT operations.
In this episode of Hands-On IT, host Landon Miles breaks down what MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers are, why they exist, and how they’re transforming real-world IT automation.
Before MCP, AI assistants struggled to interact with the tools, systems, and data IT teams rely on. With the rise of open-source MCP servers, models now have a standardized, permission-aware way to reach into infrastructure, pull context, and execute workflows safely.
Landon also sits down with Henry Smith, who helped build the Automox MCP server prototype. Together, they explore:
If you're an IT admin, security engineer, or automation enthusiast, this episode provides a clear explanation and a practical look at MCP servers in action.
Links:
Automox MCP Blog: https://www.automox.com/blog/automox-mcp
Automox MCP Git Repo: https://github.com/AutomoxCommunity/automox-mcp
In this month’s Patch [FIX] Tuesday, Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee dig into kernel flaws, WSL privilege escalation, and the growing risk of Agentic AI in developer environments. They explore how attackers are targeting AI extensions, why developer endpoints are prime targets, and what you can do to patch smarter and train your teams effectively. Stay ahead of new exploits and secure every system before threat actors get the chance.
In this episode of IT Insiders, Maddie Regis speaks with Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee from Automox's security team about the evolution of automation in security operations. They discuss their career backgrounds, the day-to-day use of Automox for security tasks, and the innovative strategies they employ to enhance automation. The conversation also covers various tools used for advanced automation and concludes with a fun game related to video games and security.
This episode originally aired September 19, 2024.
In this reflective episode of Automate IT, Jeremy Maldonado shares how gratitude has shaped his 11-year journey in IT, from his early days in customer service to building technical expertise and community. He explores the importance of mentorship, asking for help, and showing appreciation in both work and home life. As the year winds down, Jeremy invites you to pause, reflect, and celebrate the people and experiences that helped you grow in your IT career.
Dive into the creative world behind OTTOBOX: Patch or Perish, Automox’s first-ever video game. In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis chats with Senior Brand Manager Jonah Phillips about transforming patch management into an interactive gaming experience. From retro music production to villain design inspired by real IT challenges, discover how Automox blends creativity, technology, and cybersecurity culture into one epic adventure.
In this episode of the Autonomous IT, host Landon Miles dives deep into the world of vulnerabilities, exploits, and the psychology behind cyberattacks. From the story of Log4j and its massive global impact to the difference between hackers and attackers, this episode explores how and why breaches happen—and what can be done to stop them.
Joining Landon is Jason Kikta, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Automox, Marine Corps veteran, and former leader at U.S. Cyber Command. Together, they break down attacker motivations, how to recognize threat patterns, and why understanding your own network better than your adversaries is the key to effective defense.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, IT leader, or just curious about how cyberattacks really work, this episode offers practical insights from the front lines of digital defense.
In this episode of the Hands-On IT podcast, Landon Miles interviews Anthony Maxwell, who is a software engineer at Automox. They discuss Anthony's journey from IT operations to software engineering, and his home lab setup. He discusses his favorite projects, the skills he's learned, and how he applies them in his professional life. Anthony also provides insights into using Automox for policy compliance, offers advice for those looking to start their own home labs, and shares his thoughts on virtualization, operating systems, and staying updated with technology trends.
This episode originally aired on July 25, 2024.
In this episode, host Jason Kikta talks with Dmitri Alperovitch – CrowdStrike co-founder and chairman of the Automox board – about how speed and precision define modern cyber defense. Alperovitch explores how the OODA loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act), a concept rooted in military strategy, can help IT and security teams detect, respond, and adapt to threats in real time.
They discuss why cloud-native automation is essential for staying ahead, how to close gaps between IT and security teams, and what happens when organizations react too slowly. Drawing on decades of experience in cybersecurity and threat intelligence, this conversation challenges you to rethink what it means to be fast enough to defend your environment.
This episode originally aired on June 13, 2024.
In this episode of Product Talk, host Peter Pflaster sits down with Automox Staff Security Engineer Henry Smith to discuss what it really means to be secure by default. Together, they explore how Automox builds security into the foundation of its products, from engineering practices to company culture.
You’ll learn how Automox’s “no security tax” philosophy gives every customer access to enterprise-grade protection — without hidden costs or trade-offs. Henry also shares his journey from IT support to cybersecurity engineering, offering practical advice for anyone looking to grow a career in IT or security.
Tune in to hear how Automox approaches product security, fosters trust between engineering and security teams, and collaborates with industry peers to keep customers safe.
CFOs Ziad Fanous (Automox) and David Mehok (formerly CFO of Q2) join host Evan Kiely to break down how IT transformation drives real business value—not just cost savings. They share candid lessons from decades in finance leadership on:
A must-listen for IT and security leaders who want to secure budget, prove ROI, and build stronger relationships with finance.
This episode originally aired February 20, 2025
Happy Patch Tuesday! In this October episode, security specialists Ryan Braunstein and Mat Lee break down some of the month’s most critical vulnerabilities — and why this batch of CVEs might just be the spookiest yet.
The duo dives deep into:
With expert insights, real-world context, and a touch of humor, Ryan and Mat unpack what these vulnerabilities mean for IT and security pros — and what steps you should take right now to stay protected
🎃 Tune in for a fast, insightful rundown of October’s top Patch Tuesday updates.
Jeremy Maldonado breaks down cybersecurity fundamentals from a real-world IT operations perspective. From phishing and social engineering to patching best practices and zero trust, Jeremy shares practical insights to help you protect your organization — starting with your own behavior.
He covers:
Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or want to tighten your patching strategy, this episode gives you a tactical refresh on where to focus your attention.
What is a CVE – and why does it matter to your patching process? Landon Miles breaks down CVEs, CVSS scores, and CNAs – covering how they work together, what to prioritize, and how to respond. Learn how to assess risk, spot active exploits, and streamline remediation with clear, actionable steps.
In this episode, Automox CISO Jason Kikta strips away the noise and focuses on the three core pillars of secure IT operations: asset inventory, patch management, and identity and access management (IAM).
Jason shares firsthand stories from U.S. Cyber Command and explains why getting the basics right isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re building a modern security program or tightening existing controls, this episode delivers clear guidance on where to focus and why.
🎧 Topics covered:
Perfect for IT and security leaders looking to sharpen their foundational strategies.
In this episode of the Automox CISO IT Podcast, host Jason Kikta, CISO at Automox, explores how CISOs can advocate for automation maturity across IT and security teams. Jason breaks down why automation is critical for:
From worms of the early internet to today’s rapid weaponization of exploits like Log4j, Jason shares lessons from the field and why automation is no longer optional for security leaders. Whether you’re focused on patching, configuration, or incident response, this episode shows how automation maturity improves resilience, efficiency, and your ability to outpace attackers.
This episode originally aired February 16, 2024
In this episode of Product Talk, host Peter Pflaster sits down with JoLynn Dixon, Senior Director of Product Management at Automox, to discuss the future of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) and how Automox is shaping the path forward.
JoLynn shares her background in product leadership, the vision behind AEM, and why prioritizing customer feedback is central to Automox’s roadmap. You’ll also hear how Automox is:
If you’re an IT professional looking to cut risk, save time, and modernize endpoint management, this episode gives you a front-row seat to how Automox is leading the charge.
In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis chats with IT Help Desk Technician Emilia Keeney about her path into IT, her experience joining Automox, and why automation is the unsung hero of IT. Emilia shares her journey through an accelerated IT program, what it’s like working on a small but mighty IT team, and why even the simplest support tickets can be rewarding. The episode wraps up with a fun word association game you won’t want to miss.
This episode originally aired February 18, 2024.
In this episode of Executive IT, host Evan Kiely sits down with Alan Taylor, COO of Maxio, to explore how IT and security shape business reliability, compliance, and growth. Alan shares his perspective as a seasoned operator in private-equity backed SaaS companies, covering:
Whether you’re a technology leader, operator, or business executive, this conversation offers actionable insights on making IT and security a business driver — not an afterthought.
In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis sits down with Katie Bleichman, Director of CX Operations and Enablement at Automox. Katie shares her inspiring journey from two decades in elementary education to leading customer experience in the SaaS and cybersecurity world. Discover how skills from the classroom translate into IT, what it takes to adapt and grow in a new career path, and why lifelong learning is key to success. Whether you’re considering a career shift or want to hear how customer education empowers users through Automox University, Katie’s story is filled with practical insights and motivation.