What does enterprise security really look like in 2025, especially as AI, cloud-first architecture, and hybrid work models converge to reshape the perimeter? In this episode of Consulting the Future, recorded live at IGEL Now & Next 2025 in Miami, I am joined by Marissa Schmidt, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, for a grounded conversation that cuts through the noise.

Marissa brings deep insight into the evolving role of endpoint security in today’s distributed enterprise. With responsibilities spanning cloud networking, application security, and generative AI, she offers a rare vantage point into how these threads are coming together and where businesses need to refocus.

Together, they explore the growing complexity of multi-cloud environments, the operational challenges of managing dozens of disconnected security tools, and why visibility, segmentation, and zero trust architecture are no longer optional.

Marissa explains how the operating system layer is quickly becoming a strategic linchpin in endpoint resilience and why preventive security needs to move closer to the edge.

The discussion also covers how AI is being used not just for threat detection, but for integrating disparate security signals and automating next-step actions in complex environments. Marissa shares what Gartner is seeing in the field, from the practical challenges of implementation to the cultural shifts required to adopt scalable security strategies.

Beyond the technology, we hear about her keynote reflections, the importance of authenticity and adaptability in leadership, and how research-backed guidance can empower IT decision-makers to move from theory to execution.

For business and technology leaders navigating cloud transformation, endpoint strategy, or zero trust implementation, this episode offers clear, research-informed direction.

Are your endpoint and cloud strategies designed for the future or still solving yesterday’s problems?

In a financial world increasingly shaped by automation and machine learning, how can businesses stay one step ahead of AI-driven fraud?

In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Bradley Niedzielski, Audit and Assurance Partner for Digital Transformation at Deloitte, to explore how generative AI is transforming the fraud landscape and what that means for finance leaders. As synthetic identities, forged documents, and deepfake impersonations grow more convincing, traditional defenses are no longer enough.

Bradley draws on Deloitte’s research, revealing that AI-driven fraud in the United States could exceed 40 billion dollars by 2027. Over one in four organizations have already encountered deepfake fraud, yet only a small percentage place technology at the center of their defense strategy. We explore the reasons behind this disconnect and the urgent need to modernize fraud risk management.

From AI governance and scenario planning to embedding intelligent automation in core finance functions, Bradley offers a clear-eyed view of what’s changing, what’s at stake, and how businesses can adapt. He explains the role of agentic AI in automating end-to-end workflows, accelerating financial close processes, and freeing finance teams to focus on strategy. But with that acceleration comes risk, especially when poor data quality or blind trust in AI goes unchecked.

We also discuss how organizations can prepare their people for this shift. Upskilling, transparency, and cross-functional collaboration are no longer optional—they are essential to safely navigate an AI-powered future.

If your organization is experimenting with AI or already embedding it into finance operations, this conversation offers timely insights into managing risk, building resilience, and ensuring technology adoption aligns with long-term goals.

How does a firm with over a century of audit history stay ahead in a world shaped by exponential technologies? In this episode of Consulting the Future, we spotlight how EY is reinventing the audit profession from the inside out. Joining the conversation are Marc Jeschonneck, EY's Global Assurance Digital Leader, and Paul Goodhew, EY's Global Assurance Innovation and Emerging Technology Leader.

Recorded against the backdrop of rapid change in the assurance industry, this conversation unpacks the strategy behind EY’s $1 billion investment in audit technology. Marc and Paul offer a behind-the-scenes look at how EY is integrating AI, blockchain, and cloud-native tools to transform complex, high-volume audit processes into more streamlined, intelligent systems. Whether it’s using machine learning to surface anomalies or applying blockchain to verify digital asset transactions, the goal is clear: higher audit quality with greater efficiency and trust.

But innovation isn’t just a tech play—it’s also about people. The episode explores EY’s focus on user experience, microlearning, and its federated development model that empowers teams to build tools tailored to their specific needs. We also discuss how intuitive design is helping auditors embrace new systems faster, and why fostering a culture of continuous learning is key to keeping pace with technological disruption.

Looking ahead, Marc and Paul share how quantum computing, AI agents, and smart contracts could influence the next chapter of the profession. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone involved in risk, compliance, digital transformation, or professional services, providing a clear view of how large consultancies are adapting to—and shaping—the future.

Are traditional audit models compatible with tomorrow’s technology landscape? Tune in to find out, and join the conversation on what’s next for assurance in the digital age.