WEI Tech Talk Podcast

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Jun 2026

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The WEI Tech Talk Podcast educates listeners on the latest technology news and trends. Special guests include the most renown leaders within the technology industry. WEI is an award-winning IT solutions provider focused on building quality, longstanding relationships with clients across many industries. For more than 35 years, WEI has developed, deployed, and delivered custom-tailored IT solutions for medium and large enterprises.

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June 16, 2026Episode 6418 min

Hybrid By Design | EP 64

For years, organizations embraced a cloud-first strategy. Today, many IT leaders are discovering that a one-size-fits-all approach to infrastructure doesn't always align with performance requirements, compliance mandates, operational realities, or cost expectations.In this episode of the WEI Tech Talk Podcast, host James Hilliard is joined by Craig Plevinsky, Networking Solutions Architect at WEI, and Jim Robbins, HPE GreenLake Cloud Services Partner Account Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), to discuss why organizations are shifting from cloud-first to hybrid by design.Together, they explore how modern enterprises can deliver a cloud experience across on-premises, colocation, edge, and public cloud environments. The discussion highlights real-world customer challenges, including technical debt, cloud repatriation, compliance concerns, infrastructure modernization, and IT resource constraints.What You'll Learn:- Why cloud-first strategies aren't always delivering expected outcomes- The rise of hybrid IT and hybrid cloud architecture- Modernizing legacy infrastructure without unnecessary disruption- Real-world customer success stories using HPE GreenLakeThe content for this podcast was recorded in May 2026.

June 8, 2026Episode 6323 min

Identity Resilience: The Keystone of a Critical Recovery Process | EP 63

What happens when cybercriminals stop breaking in and simply log in?In this episode of the WEI Tech Talk Podcast, Todd Humphreys, Cybersecurity GTM Leader at WEI, sits down with Patrick Haverty and Parker Gaines from Rubrik to explore why identity has become the primary target for modern attackers and why identity recovery is now a critical component of cyber resilience. The discussion is grounded in real-world incidents, including the NotPetya attack on Maersk and more recent identity-focused attacks targeting organizations through compromised credentials, MFA manipulation, and Active Directory disruption.The conversation examines how threat actors establish persistence, escalate privileges, compromise Active Directory and cloud identity platforms, and create recovery challenges that many organizations are unprepared to address. Todd, Patrick, and Parker also discuss the growing importance of protecting and recovering identities across hybrid environments, including Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and other modern identity providers.Topics covered include:- Why attackers are "logging in, not breaking in"- Lessons learned from NotPetya, MGM, and other high-profile incidents- Active Directory and Entra ID recovery challenges- Identity resilience and cyber recovery strategies- Finding a clean recovery point after an attack- Reducing cyber recovery time objectives (RTOs)- The role of immutable backups and identity recovery- Building confidence in cyber resilience and business continuityIf you're a CISO, security leader, infrastructure architect, or IT professional focused on ransomware recovery, identity security, and cyber resilience, this episode provides practical insights into one of the most important security challenges facing organizations today.Learn more at wei.com/cybersecurity

April 23, 2026Episode 6218 min

What's New With HPE Compute? | EP 62

WEI Solutions Architects Jay Cardin and Matt Leal break down the latest advancements in HPE Compute. This includes everything from edge-ready infrastructure to next-gen data center operations. WEI has recently been awarded HPE Triple Platinum status—a designation that reflects deep engineering expertise, advanced certifications, and sustained performance across compute, storage, networking, and hybrid cloud. Fresh off HPE Tech Jam, the discussion covers what matters most to IT infrastructure leaders: performance, security, and operational control across hybrid environments. What You’ll Learn: HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11: A rugged, quiet, edge-optimized server built for retail, manufacturing, and distributed environments AI at the Edge: GPU support for computer vision and real-time processing use cases HPE iLO 7 Security Enhancements: Including FIPS Level 3 compliance and quantum-resistant encryption readiness Secure Enclave: Hardware-level protection for credentials and system integrity Direct Liquid Cooling: Closed-loop cooling innovation without data center retrofits HPE CloudOps Suite: Morpheus, OpsRamp, and Zerto powering automation, observability, and cyber resilience Why Does This Matter for IT Leaders? Infrastructure teams are under pressure to support edge compute, hybrid cloud, and AI workloads. This episode focuses on how HPE is addressing those challenges through architecture and platform innovation. This podcast episode was recorded in April 2026 at WEI headquarters in Salem, NH. For more information on WEI's partnership with HPE, visit wei.com.

April 17, 2026Episode 6133 min

Intro To Containers & Containerized Environments | Episode 61

In this WEI DevOps workshop, WEI DevOps Engineer Matt Frechette breaks down containerization from an infrastructure operator’s perspective. Matt starts with the fundamentals and moving into a real-world application.If you’re responsible for uptime, performance, and modernization, this session is designed to help you understand how containers fit into your existing virtualized and hybrid environments.What you’ll learn:- How infrastructure evolved from bare metal → virtualization → containers- Key differences between VMs and containers (and why it matters for resource utilization and lifecycle management)- How containers eliminate configuration drift and reduce OS overhead- Core components: container engines (Docker), images, registries, and runtimes- How to build and version custom container images using Dockerfiles- Running multi-container applications with Docker Compose- Persistent storage, networking, and scaling strategies in containerized environments- Live demo: deploying, updating, and rolling back a containerized web applicationThis workshop focuses on practical adoption to provide you a clear starting point for introducing containerization into your environment without disrupting existing infrastructure investments.WEI is a full-service IT solutions provider helping enterprise teams design, implement, and support modern infrastructure—from data center to hybrid cloud to DevOps automation.To access the full WEI DevOps for SysOps workshop series, click here.

March 13, 2026Episode 6037 min

Built to Last: Performance Under Pressure With Devin McCourty | EP 60

WEI joins experts from HPE and Intel for a special conversation about HPE Compute. NFL legend Devin McCourty joins the group later on to talk leadership, football, and much more.

March 10, 2026Episode 5937 min

Inside a SOC Director's Shift Toward AI-Enabled Security Operations | Episode 59

If you’re a CISO, SOC Director, or security operations leader navigating AI adoption, staffing challenges, or tool consolidation, this discussion is built for you. Security operations teams are being asked to do more with less. Rising alert volume, expanding attack surfaces, and budget pressure are forcing every security operations center to rethink how work gets done.In this episode of the WEI Tech Talk cybersecurity podcast, we explore how AI is reshaping the modern SOC and what real-world SOC transformation looks like inside an enterprise environment. Featured Guests:Todd Humphreys, WEI CyberSecurity GTM LeaderShawn Murphy, WEI Cybersecurity Solutions ArchitectBlaine Brennecke, Bottomline Director of Security OperationsSumedh Barde, Simbian Chief Product OfficerTogether, they break down the operational realities behind SOC modernization and the growing role of AI in cybersecurity.Key topics include:Why traditional SOC models are breaking under tool sprawl and alert overloadThe “Rube Goldberg machine” problem in security operationsReducing MTTR without increasing headcountThe role of AI as an active participant in the SOC—not just another featureEliminating manual triage and improving time to containmentThe impact of automation on staffing models and analyst burnoutBuilding business context into detection and response workflowsWhat’s next for AI-driven security operations, including autonomous SOC agentsBlaine shares real-world insights into how his team at Bottomline is rethinking SOC modernization under budget pressure—focusing on consistency, speed, and smarter use of talent.Sumedh explains how AI, context modeling, and next-generation SOC agents are shifting the way organizations detect, investigate, and contain threats.Shawn and Todd add the integrator perspective as they identify what security leaders must consider across people, process, and technology to achieve measurable outcomes.To learn more, visit wei.com/cybersecurity. The content for this video was recorded in February 2026 at WEI headquarters in Salem, NH.

January 27, 2026Episode 5834 min

How High-Performing SOCs Cut Alert Volume Without Cutting Corners | Episode 58

Security Operations Centers are busier than ever, but many aren’t reducing risk.In this episode of WEI Tech Talk, Shawn Murphy (WEI Cybersecurity Solutions Architect) sits down with PJ Bihuniak, VP of Strategics East at Palo Alto Networks, to unpack what high-performing SOCs are doing differently and why SOC modernization is no longer optional.They explore why alert volume keeps rising while outcomes stall, how legacy SOC metrics reward the wrong behavior, and why burnout and tool sprawl have become hidden business risks. PJ shares real-world insight from hundreds of SOC transformations, including how Palo Alto Networks runs its own SOC with deep automation, fewer people, and better results.This conversation clarifies where AI actually helps, where human judgment still matters, and how automation and platform thinking allow SOC teams to focus on decisions that reduce business risk.If you’re a CISO, SOC leader, or IT executive under pressure to do more with less, this episode offers a clear, practical view of what a modern, calm-under-fire SOC really looks like.Learn more at wei.com/cybersecurity

January 15, 2026Episode 5740 min

Optimizing VCF To Align With Your Business Goals | Episode 57

WEI experts Mark Gabryjelski (VCDX #23) and Jason Shiplett (VCDX #183) break down how VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) has evolved since the Broadcom acquisition and what IT leaders need to know to maximize its value. If you’re a CIO, CTO, or VP of IT Operations facing VCF licensing changes, shifting entitlements, or questions about private cloud strategy, this conversation is for you. Discover more on:Why VCF 9 is more than just a licensing changeHow to align your infrastructure to business outcomes using VCFWhat to expect in terms of automation, monitoring, and add-on valuePractical strategies to avoid overspending on unnecessary coresReal-world examples of how WEI right-sizes VMware environmentsHear directly from:Mark Gabryjelski – WEI Senior Architect & Virtualization Ambassador (VCDX #23)Jason Shiplett – WEI Solution Architect with deep experience in infrastructure optimization (VCDX #183)WEI is a Pinnacle Partner within the Broadcom Advantage Partner Program as a reseller for VMware solutions. Pinnacle is the program’s highest tier, only awarded to partners that demonstrate exceptional technical proficiency, lifecycle delivery strength, and proven impact on enterprise hybrid cloud transformation.Learn more at wei.com.

December 12, 2025Episode 5648 min

Introduction to Python and APIs | Episode 56

In this virtual workshop, join WEI Junior DevOps Engineer Ben Heinze and dive into the power of APIs and identify how they can be leveraged for automation in system administration using Python.Explore what an API is, how it works and why Python is an excellent choice for writing scripts that interact with APIs. Practical workflows and use cases will be demonstrated, giving attendees real-world examples of how to use APIs and Python to streamline tasks. By the end of this session, you will understand the benefits of using APIs and Python to create automation scripts that can interact with your favorite tools and applications. You'll learn how to optimize system administration tasks, save time, and reduce the chance of human error with Python scripting.For WEI's complete DevOps for SysOps series, visit www.wei.com.

December 2, 2025Episode 5540 min

PQC 101: Practical Paths to Quantum-Safe Security | Episode 55

Join WEI Cybersecurity Solutions Architect Shawn Murphy and Blair Canavan, Thales Director of Alliances – PQC Portfolio, for an in-depth discussion on one of the most urgent topics facing CISOs and security leaders today: post-quantum cryptography (PQC).In this episode, Shawn and Blair break down what quantum-enabled threats mean for enterprise infrastructure, why classical cryptography (RSA, ECC) will eventually be deprecated, and how organizations can prepare for Y2Q the moment quantum computing becomes capable of breaking today’s encryption standards.Blair shares insights from 35 years in cybersecurity, including his early work with Symantec and hardware security modules, and explains why nation-states are already harvesting encrypted data today to decrypt later once quantum capabilities emerge (“Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”).The conversation also covers:The transition from classical algorithms to hybrid and full PQC modelsWhat CNSA 2.0 requires and why 2025 is a pivotal year for vendors and enterprisesWhy many device manufacturers, including major laptop providers, are already shipping PQC-safe firmware and chipsetsHow Thales is embedding PQC into real-world products from HSMs to identity smart cardsPractical guidance for CISOs on assessments, baselining, roadmaps, and avoiding “kick-the-can” procrastination on quantum readinessIf you're responsible for crypto risk mitigation, regulatory alignment, or long-term data protection, this episode delivers a clear, grounded view of what needs to happen now and why preparation can’t wait. For more information, visit wei.com/cybersecurity.