How do you ensure reliability across hybrid infrastructure when the cloud half isn’t fully in your control?

In this episode, host Elias Voelker talks with Divya Veerapandian, Senior Director for Infrastructure Reliability Engineering and Global Head of Infrastructure Network Services at Visa. From network automation and hybrid observability to AI-driven operations and inclusive engineering teams—Divya shares what it takes to deliver reliable infrastructure in one of the world’s most mission-critical environments.


You’ll learn:

1. The difference between SOPs and MOPs—and why both matter for automation
2. How to tackle observability across hybrid cloud and on-prem environments
3. Where AI fits (and fails) in reliability engineering today
4. Why end-to-end visibility is still an unsolved challenge
5. What it takes to build a more inclusive reliability engineering culture

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Get in touch with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-veerapandian-89410525/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.

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Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

For Lydia Nicola’s IT team, a security breach isn’t just a risk—it could mean life or death for the people they protect.

In this episode, Elias Voelker speaks with Lydia Nicola, Head of IT Operations at Amnesty International, about the unique challenges of running IT for a global nonprofit. Lydia shares how her team secures infrastructure in politically volatile regions, optimizes cloud costs, and combats shadow IT—all while defending against cyber threats from nation-states. She also reveals how “Infrastructure Days” drive efficiency, why documentation is a game-changer, and what IT leaders can do to build more diverse, resilient teams.


You'll learn:

1. How Amnesty navigates IT security threats from hostile state actors
2. The strategy behind “Infrastructure Days” and why they work
3. How to rein in shadow IT when vendors offer free software
4. The keys to optimizing cloud costs—without cutting corners
5. What IT leaders can do to attract and retain diverse talent

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Get in touch with Lydia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiamn/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!

How can you drive data center efficiency without compromising performance?

In this episode, host Elias Voelker sits down with Martin Casaulta, Chief Technologist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Switzerland, and Martin Hirschvogel, Chief Product Officer at Checkmk. They discuss data center efficiency—from traditional metrics like PUE to the impact of AI workloads—and share strategies for optimizing IT operations. Martin Casaulta highlights the Swiss Data Center Efficiency Association’s work on decarbonization, while Martin Hirschvogel explains how IT monitoring helps identify and resolve inefficiencies.


You'll learn:

1. Why IT monitoring is essential for improving data center efficiency
2. The limitations of PUE and how PUE Plus is changing the game
3. How to manage the rising energy demands of AI workloads
4. Practical strategies to optimize underutilized resources
5. Why sustainability initiatives are as rewarding as they are necessary

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Get in touch with Martin Casaulta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-casaulta-1b9bbb78/

Get in touch with Martin Hirschvogel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-hirschvogel-28034210/

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About the host Elias Voelker: Elias is the VP for North America at Checkmk. He comes from a strategy consulting background but has been an entrepreneur for the better part of the last 10 years. In his spare time, he likes to do triathlons.

Get in touch with Elias via LinkedIn or email podcast@checkmk.com.

___________


Podcast Music:

Music by Ströme, used by permission
‚Panta Rhei‘ written by Mario Schoenhofer
(c)+p 2022, Compost Medien GmbH & Co KG
https://stroeme.com/
https://compost-rec.com/

Thanks to our friends at SAWOO for producing this episode with us!