Identity is the heart of cybersecurity.In this episode of The Identity Jedi Show, we sit down with Dutch — former senior advisor at Raytheon and AWS, now VP of Cloud Services — and Joe Palmer, Chief Innovation Officer at iProov, to unpack how identity and security are converging faster than ever.Together, we explore:🔹 Why identity is the new security perimeter🔹 How biometrics and AI are reshaping trust in digital ecosystems🔹 The challenges of vendor consolidation and what it means for enterprise defenders🔹 How leaders can build resilient, identity-first security strategiesWhether you’re an Identity Architect, Security Engineer, or CISO, this roundtable delivers real-world insights from experts shaping the future of identity-driven cybersecurity.💬 Question for You: How do you see AI and biometrics changing your approach to identity security in the next 2 years? Drop your thoughts below 👇🏾🔔 Subscribe to The Identity Jedi Show — where we talk about the future of identity, security, and everything in between.Check out our episode sponsorhttps://www.iproov.com00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:34 Round Table Guest Introductions01:57 The Importance of Identity in Security05:57 Challenges in Identity Verification08:19 The Rise of Biometric Solutions19:28 Account Recovery and Social Engineering21:38 Industry Trends and Consolidation27:07 Problem-Solving and Empowerment in Security28:07 Technological Advancements and Deep Fakes28:59 The Evolution of Cloud Computing and Security32:00 Identity Verification and Digital IDs38:32 Balancing Security Platforms and Vendor Management44:07 The Importance of Identity in Security49:42 Final Thoughts and Parting Shots

Welcome back to the Identity Jedi Show! In this episode, host David Identity Jedi sits down with Rich Rhodes, Chief Information Security Officer at Choice Bank, for a candid and insightful conversation about leadership, team building, and the evolving world of identity security.

Episode Highlights:

• Rich’s journey from small-town Minnesota to the CISO seat
• The evolution of identity management to identity security
• Why people and process matter more than technology in cybersecurity
• Building and leading high-performing, people-first teams
• Lessons learned from mergers, acquisitions, and industry consolidation
• The importance of empathy, mentorship, and authentic leadership
• Navigating the challenges of cloud computing and disaster recovery
• Industry trends: platform consolidation, subscription models, and the rise of new players
• Spotlight: Yes ID — an Okta alternative for small businesses
• Quick-fire questions: best advice, favorite food spots, and travel dreams

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is about empowering others, not just holding a title.
• The biggest challenges in identity security are still about people and process, not just technology.
• Team success comes from trust, clear expectations, and genuine care for each member.
• The industry is changing fast, but the fundamentals of good leadership remain the same.

Featured Guest:

• Rich Rhodes — CISO at Choice Bank, with decades of experience in IT, security, and team leadership.

Resources & Mentions:

• YeshID (Okta alternative for small businesses)
• Identity Jedi newsletter and blog
• Leovici gear (discount code: IdentityJedi)

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to the Identity Jedi newsletter at theidentityjedi.com
• Send your questions for the upcoming mailbag episode: identityjedi@gmail.com
• Follow us on Spotify, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platforms

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe. Be good to each other, be kind to each, love each other, and we’ll see you next time on the Identity Jedi Show.

In this episode of the Identity Jedi Show, the host welcomes Jim DeSantis for an engaging interview. They discuss their unique paths in the identity field, share experiences with Active Directory, and explore the rapid development of AI technologies. The episode highlights the challenges and misconceptions around AI implementation in enterprises, the permanence of Active Directory in certain sectors, and the complexities of data management. Additionally, the host outlines recent major acquisitions in the identity space and speculates on the future of identity management as vendors strive for platform consolidation. The episode concludes with a reflection on the inevitable disruption AI will bring to various industries and the evolving role of service companies.

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00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:02 Insert Intro Video/Music01:37 Housekeeping and Announcements04:11 Interview with Jim DeSantis06:19 Identity Management Challenges15:02 AI in Identity and Data Management29:44 Exploring AI Tools and Their Impact30:22 The Magic and Reality of Technology31:27 The Future of Software Development34:01 Challenges in Cybersecurity and SOC Integration35:13 The Cycles of Tech Platforms and Best Practices44:56 The Longevity of Active Directory51:43 The Year of Acquisitions in Identity56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook