Spire Connect - Powered by Spire SolutionsWhere innovation meets conversation.
Welcome to Spire Connect, the voice of cybersecurity, technology, and transformation in the digital age.
Powered by Spire Solutions, the leading value-added distributor across the Middle East and Africa, this podcast brings together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries who are shaping the future of secure digital ecosystems.
Each episode dives deep into breakthrough ideas, emerging trends, and real-world insights across cybersecurity, AI, cloud, and beyond - connecting thought leaders through conversations that inspire change and drive impact.Tune in, stay informed, and be part of the movement - because at Spire Connect, innovation truly meets conversation.
Securing Data in the AI Era: Enterprise Lessons from Qatar | Vinod Epen | Spire Connect
In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, businesses need more than just the latest cybersecurity products - they need the right partners who understand their challenges.
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Vinod Epen, Senior Director - IT Solutions at Mannai Corporation, one of Qatar’s leading technology partners, to discuss how organizations can navigate next-generation threats with customer-first strategies and practical solutions.
From vendor selection and data security to the role of trusted partnerships in the AI era, Vinod shares valuable insights drawn from years of experience helping enterprises secure their digital transformation journeys.
One key takeaway:
Cybersecurity isn't about selling products - it's about solving real business problems.
Whether you're a CISO, IT leader, cybersecurity professional, vendor, or business decision-maker, this conversation offers practical lessons on building resilient security strategies in an ever-changing world.
Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations on cybersecurity, AI, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
In this episode of Spire Connect powered by Spire Solutions, we sit down with Shailesh Bhatia from CyberArk, a Palo Alto Networks company, to decode the rapidly evolving world of identity security, AI threats, and modern cyber defense.
From Privileged Access Management (PAM) to AI identities, zero trust, deepfakes, and passwordless authentication - this conversation explores how cybersecurity is evolving in the AI era.
Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, tech enthusiast, founder, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping digital security - this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical knowledge.
Watch till the end for an insightful discussion on the future of cyber defense and identity protection.
#CyberSecurity #AI #IdentitySecurity #CyberArk #ArtificialIntelligence #ZeroTrust #CyberDefense #TechPodcast #CyberThreats #DigitalTransformation #SpireSolutions #SpyConnect
In today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape, threats are no longer a matter of if, but when.
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Karthik Ramakrishnan (Principal SE - META, Corelight) to break down everything you need to know about Network Detection & Response (NDR) - one of the most talked-about technologies in modern cybersecurity.
From NDR vs EDR vs SIEM to the role of AI, machine learning, and threat hunting, this conversation goes beyond the buzzwords and dives into real-world insights.
💡 One powerful takeaway: Your network is the ultimate source of truth and NDR helps you see what others miss.
Whether you’re a CISO, security professional, tech enthusiast, or business leader, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of how to stay ahead in today’s threat landscape.
11 Mar 2026
Next-Gen Identity Explained: AI Agents, Deepfakes & Passwordless Security | Abdullah Massud
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Abdullah Massud, Senior Solutions Engineer at Ping Identity, to explore how identity security is evolving in the age of AI, Zero Trust, and passwordless authentication.
As organizations adopt AI agents and digital services at scale, identity is becoming the new security perimeter. But how do you manage identities for not just humans, but also machines, APIs, and AI agents?
In this conversation, Abdullah explains how next-generation identity platforms help organizations deliver secure, seamless digital experiences while protecting users from emerging threats like deepfakes and identity fraud.
Whether you’re a CIO, CISO, cybersecurity leader, or technology professional, this episode provides valuable insights into building secure and frictionless digital experiences.
25 Feb 2026
AI + Data Security: Who Has Access to What? (DSPM Deep Dive) | Jimmy Phipps | Spire Connect
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Jimmy Phipps, VP Sales at Lightbeam, to break down one of the most critical questions in modern cybersecurity:
👉 Who has access to your data and should they?
As AI adoption accelerates, organizations are generating and exposing more data than ever before. But while companies focus on preventing attackers from getting in, very few address what happens after someone gets access.
If you’re a CIO, CISO, CTO, data governance leader, or security architect, this episode will give you practical insights into protecting sensitive data in an AI-driven world.
25 Feb 2026
Data to Decisions: AI, ROI & the Future of Business | Jaspinder Singh
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Jaspinder Singh, Head of Consulting at Spire Data, to explore how organizations can turn data into measurable business value using AI.
With everyone talking about AI, the real question is - where should businesses actually start? From retail forecasting and healthcare use cases to AI governance and ROI measurement, Jaspinder breaks down practical frameworks for implementing AI the right way.
Whether you’re a CIO, CTO, Chief AI Officer, business leader, or aspiring data professional, this episode offers a clear roadmap for building AI initiatives that deliver real impact.
4 Feb 2026
Who Secures AI? Inside Next-Generation Identity & Zero Trust | Amr Ismail | Spire Connect
In this episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Amr Ismail, Regional VP – Middle East, Turkey & North Africa at SailPoint, to unpack what next-generation identity security really means in today’s AI-driven world.
From Zero Trust and workforce identity management to agentic AI risks, SaaS vs on-prem identity, and data access governance, Amir shares real-world insights from the enterprise frontlines. We also discuss how identity is evolving from a security control to a business enabler, and why securing users, data, and even AI itself has become critical for modern organizations.
A must-watch for CIOs, CISOs, security leaders, and technology decision-makers navigating identity in the age of AI.
22 Jan 2026
The Partner Growth Playbook: Building Trust, Channels & Long-Term Value | Muhammad Rehan
What does a high performing partner ecosystem really look like behind closed doors?
In this 8th episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Muhammad Rehan, Director - Product & Channel Development, Spire Solutions, an integral part of Spire’s journey in the region, to unpack how modern partner ecosystems are built, enabled, and scaled in today’s technology driven market.
This conversation is for vendors, partners, CXOs, founders, and business leaders looking to build sustainable, future ready ecosystems not just close deals.
🎙️ Inside Partner Ecosystems practical insightful and built for the long term.
14 Jan 2026
Multi-Cloud Security Made Simple: AWS, Azure, GCP - One Platform | Bhavna Arun | Spire Connect
What does enterprise cybersecurity really look like behind closed doors?
In this 7th episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Bhavna Arun, Regional Sales Manager – GCC at Algosec, to break down how large enterprises are rethinking cybersecurity in a world of multi-cloud, automation, and continuous compliance.
This conversation is for CXOs, CISOs, CIOs, security leaders, and enterprise IT teams looking to move from reactive security to operational excellence.
🎙️ Inside Enterprise Cybersecurity - unfiltered, practical, and real.
10 Jan 2026
AI-Generated Code Risks: Licensing, Compliance & AppSec at Scale ft. Tom Herrmann
Welcome to Episode 6 of Spire Connect (powered by Spire Solutions) - where innovation meets conversation.
In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Herrmann, Global Channel VP at Black Duck, to break down the biggest shift happening in cybersecurity right now: the explosion of AI-generated code and what it means for application security, licensing, and regulatory compliance.
We discuss how Black Duck can identify which parts of code are LLM/AI-generated, why code provenance and licensing will become critical in the coming years, and why application security is no longer optional, for enterprises or mid-sized businesses. Tom also shares how Black Duck scales across regions like the UAE, Europe, Singapore, and the US, and what he looks for when building strong partner ecosystems.
If you’re a CIO, CISO, Chief AI Officer, developer leader, or cybersecurity decision-maker, this conversation will give you practical clarity on how to think about AppSec in the AI era.
25 Dec 2025
The COO Playbook: How to Lead a Company to Massive Growth | Syed Quadri
In the 5th episode of Spire Connect powered by Spire Solutions, we sit down with Syed Quadri, Chief Operating Officer at Spire Solutions, to decode one of the most underrated leadership positions in the tech and cybersecurity ecosystem - the COO role.
As conversations everywhere revolve around AI, cybersecurity, cloud transformation, digital innovation, and post-quantum technologies, Syed breaks down why people-first leadership, trust, culture, and transparent communication remain the real drivers of organizational success.
If you’re a leader, founder, CXO, manager, or someone interested in business growth, cybersecurity strategy, or organizational leadership, this conversation will reshape the way you understand how strong companies are built and scaled.
Is your compliance checklist costing you security?
In the 4th episode of Spire Connect, we sit down with Lalit Ahluwalia, CEO and Founder of DigitalXForce, to discuss why traditional compliance models are failing and how his company is pioneering Automated GRC and outcome-based security. Lalit challenges the status quo, arguing that relying on point-in-time audits is obsolete.
Learn why you need a continuous, real-time risk score - a "health score" - to achieve true Cyber Resilience, and discover the disruptive "pay-for-outcome" model that is changing how organizations manage cyber risk.
13 Nov 2025
The FUTURE of AI is Here: "Agentic AI" Explained by a Tech VP | Eric Bauer | Spire Connect
Welcome to Episode 3 of Spire Connect, powered by Spire Solutions where innovation meets conversation. Filmed live from GITEX, we sit down with Eric Bauer, VP of Solution Engineering and Enablement at SolarWinds, to decode the massive technological shifts happening right now.
Eric reveals why not having full observability is like "driving a car with a blindfold on" and explains the most powerful new tech on the block: Agentic AI.
This isn't just another buzzword. Eric breaks down how this new form of AI will act as a true "teammate" for your IT department, capable of doing deep research, running multiple tasks in parallel, and even making changes on your behalf.
If you are a CIO, CTO, or tech leader, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.
5 Nov 2025
When Security Isn’t Enough: Francois on Zero Trust Connectivity, AI & Proactive Defense
Welcome to Spire Connect, powered by Spire Solutions - a platform where innovation meets conversation.
In our second episode, we sit down with Francois Driessen, COO, CMO & Co-Founder of ADAMnetworks, to explore how his team is rebuilding the internet through the revolutionary concept of Zero Trust Connectivity.
From the origins of ADAMnetworks to redefining cybersecurity beyond buzzwords, Francois shares his vision of a world where AI, privacy, and data sovereignty work together to protect people - not just systems.
Discover how Zero Trust Connectivity is transforming the way enterprises think about AI protection, proactive defense, and human-centric innovation in the digital era.
29 Oct 2025
The Future of Cyber Security: CTO on Zero Trust, Agentic AI & Cyber Resilience | Spire Connect Ep 1
Welcome to Spire Connect, powered by Spire Solutions, a platform where innovation meets conversation.
In our first episode, we sit down with Prasanth Prasad, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Spire Solutions, to decode the future of cybersecurity.
From Zero Trust frameworks to Quantum-Safe Cryptography and Agentic AI, this episode dives deep into how technology, regulation, and innovation are reshaping the Middle East’s digital security landscape.
Discover how Spire Solutions is empowering enterprises with frameworks that go beyond products - focusing on real-world use cases, AI-driven defense, and the next evolution of cyber resilience.
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