Insights

Field notes from the front line of identity security

Research, analysis, and hard-won perspective from the engineers and architects securing federal and enterprise environments.

AI Governance

The USB-C of AI Agents: Securing Autonomous Ops with the Model Context Protocol (MCP)

USB-C ended the drawer of proprietary chargers; the Model Context Protocol is doing the same for AI-agent integration. For Federal Zero Trust environments, MCP is fast becoming the standard for agents that must act, not just chat.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

October 16, 2025

Identity Security

Zero Trust's Missing Link: The Governance Crisis in Non-Human Identity Management

OWASP's Top 10 Non-Human Identity Risks for 2025 is a wake-up call — 46% of organizations suffered an NHI compromise this past year. Why machine-identity governance, not human IAM, is now Zero Trust's hardest problem.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

August 11, 2025

Identity Security

Why It's Time to Rethink Your IAM Strategy: The Strategic Case for a Modern Enterprise Directory

For decades, IAM strategy has centered on SSO and IGA while the enterprise directory was treated as static infrastructure. Why a modern, centralized directory — not an overloaded IGA — is the identity backbone Zero Trust demands.

Christian Barbieri

Christian Barbieri

April 7, 2025

AI Governance

The Critical Role of Data Management and Monitoring in AI Agent Implementation

As organizations deploy AI agents to automate critical processes, their integrity depends on robust data management and monitoring. A leader's guide to governance, drift, security, and compliance.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

February 27, 2025

Artificial Intelligence

AI Agents in the Enterprise: A Comprehensive Guide to Deployment

AI agents are automating tasks, sharpening decisions, and reshaping how enterprises operate. A practical guide to deploying them securely — covering digital identity, governance, PAM/PKI, human feedback loops, and risk mitigation.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

February 10, 2025

AI Governance

Embracing AI Agents: The Next Evolution in Workforce Management

AI agents are becoming operational contributors with real access to sensitive systems. Treating them like employees — with identity governance, entitlement management, and privileged access controls — is how leaders integrate them securely.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

January 27, 2025

AI Governance

The Rise of AI Governance: Why It Matters

AI now controls sensitive enterprise operations as a privileged, non-human identity. Strong governance — combining traditional security principles with AI-specific controls — is how organizations harness its potential while managing the risk.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

January 17, 2025

Identity Security

Secrets Management: Fortifying Identity Security in the Zero Trust Era

Passwords, API keys, certificates, and tokens are multiplying faster than most organizations can manage them. Here's how PKI, secure vaults, dynamic secrets, and strong governance make secrets management a cornerstone of Zero Trust.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

January 13, 2025

Identity Security

Public Key Infrastructure: The Cornerstone of Zero Trust Security

As organizations move to Zero Trust Architecture, Public Key Infrastructure provides the cryptographic foundation for establishing trust and securing communications — from strong authentication to machine identities.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

January 8, 2025

Post-Quantum Cryptography

'Twas the Night Before Crypto.....

A holiday spin on the Clement C. Moore classic, recast for the post-quantum era — where keys live in HSMs, St. Nick drives a quantum-safe sleigh, and Kyber and Dilithium dance through the network.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

December 19, 2024

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Future-Proof Your Cybersecurity: Building an Encryption Inventory for the Quantum Age

Quantum computers will break the encryption protecting your data today. Building an encryption inventory now is the practical first step to mapping your vulnerabilities and migrating to quantum-resistant security.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

November 18, 2024

Post-Quantum Cryptography

NIST IR 8547

NIST's draft IR 8547 lays out the roadmap for federal systems to transition to post-quantum cryptography. Here's what teams managing federal PKI need to know — and why the clock is already ticking.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

November 16, 2024

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Quantum Leap Your Security: Embrace Crypto Agility

Quantum computing threatens to render today's encryption obsolete. Crypto agility — the ability to rapidly adapt your cryptographic systems to emerging threats — is no longer a luxury but an essential security strategy.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

November 12, 2024

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Preparing for the Quantum Age: An Overview of Post-Quantum Cryptography

Quantum computing promises revolutionary capabilities — but it could break the classical encryption underpinning our digital world. A look at what Post-Quantum Cryptography is, why it matters, and how organizations can prepare.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker

November 4, 2024

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