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.

In today’s episode of Consulting the Future, we welcome Carla DeSantis, Partner in Operations Transformation at PwC, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation. Carla unpacks the key findings from PwC’s latest Trends in Digital Operations Survey, offering a rare, inside-out view of why so many companies are still struggling to achieve returns on their technology investments in supply chain and operations.

Among the findings, one statistic looms large: 69% of companies report they are not seeing the expected benefits from their tech investments. Carla explores the underlying reasons, including the complexity of integrating new solutions with legacy systems, persistent data quality challenges, and a narrow focus on isolated pain points instead of holistic transformation strategies. She urges leaders to rethink how they approach operational change, emphasizing the need for systemic, end-to-end thinking that moves beyond siloed initiatives.

A particularly fascinating part of our discussion centers around AI integration. While nearly all respondents to the survey are experimenting with generative AI, only 20% report widespread operational use. Carla shares what differentiates successful AI adoption efforts: clear, specific use cases that augment human capabilities rather than seeking to replace them. She addresses common misconceptions about AI, particularly the dangerous notion of AI as a silver bullet or a tool for workforce reduction, and highlights the risks that come with misaligned expectations.

Carla also stresses the human element behind digital transformation. She advocates for reimagining workforce training as an ongoing journey of continuous learning rather than a one-off event. By involving detractors early and balancing encouragement with accountability, leaders can build a workforce that embraces, rather than resists, new technologies.

Finally, Carla looks ahead, discussing how sustainability and evolving regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly pivotal in shaping operations strategies. She invites listeners to explore PwC’s Digital Operations Report, which provides industry-specific insights and actionable recommendations for companies navigating today's digital complexities.

How is your organization approaching digital operations transformation? Are you creating real, sustainable change or chasing short-term fixes? Tune in to gain deeper insights from Carla DeSantis and explore new ways to align technology, people, and strategy for lasting impact.

What does it take to build a digital foundation that supports innovation, profitability, and long-term resilience?

In this episode of Consulting the Future, I speak with Andy Tay from Accenture to explore findings from their latest research, Reinventing with a Digital Core. As organizations face increasing pressure to modernize and compete in a tech-driven marketplace, this conversation brings clarity to what it means to evolve with purpose. Tay breaks down Accenture’s approach to building a strong digital core and why it remains one of the most important levers for business reinvention today.

We examine three guiding principles that organizations can use to strengthen their digital foundation. These include re-engineering systems to support AI operations, customizing digital advancements to align with specific business goals, and striking the right balance between addressing technical debt and investing in scalable infrastructure. Tay shares how leading firms that raise their innovation investments by at least six percent each year are better positioned to introduce new products, redesign operations, and enter emerging markets with confidence.

This episode also covers how a digital core connects critical functions across cloud, data, and cybersecurity, creating a more adaptive and responsive enterprise. With a recommendation to allocate around fifteen percent of IT budgets to manage technical debt, Tay outlines the importance of sustaining evergreen capabilities while embracing new technologies.

We also discuss how top-performing companies are seeing up to twenty percent higher revenue growth and thirty percent more profitability by embracing these strategies. Tay emphasizes that responsible AI integration, iterative scaling, and an innovation-first culture are now essential components of any transformation effort.

Whether you're in the early stages of rethinking your digital infrastructure or already leading large-scale change, this episode offers timely guidance from someone helping shape enterprise strategy on a global scale.

Can we accelerate our digital ambitions while still keeping a strong moral compass? In this conversation on Consulting the Future, Deborah Golden of Deloitte shares her frontline experiences shaping AI strategies that put ethics at the core, and she offers her predictions for a surge in M&A activity across AI, cloud, cybersecurity and even the nascent space economy.

We balance the promise of breakthroughs (like AI‑driven drug discovery and zero‑trust architectures) with the real‑world challenges of bias audits, supply‑chain vulnerabilities and the skills gap. Deborah’s practical advice on blending deep industry know‑how with cutting‑edge technology leaves you equipped to both seize new growth and safeguard against unintended fallout.

Where do you see the biggest opportunity or blind spot in today’s tech revolution? I’d love to hear your perspective.