RunAs Radio

SQL Server 2025 is released - what's in it, and what happens next? Richard chats with Bob Ward about the huge array of announcements coming out of Ignite around SQL Server 2025, including AI-related features, new reliability and performance options, engine improvements, and more! The tooling for SQL Server also continues to evolve, including making Copilot available through SSMS and as part of the SQL extension to Visual Studio Code. And there's more to come - have a listen!
Links
SQL Server 2025
SQL Server 2025 Unveiled
SSMS with Erin Stellato
SQL Server Management Studio
JSON Data in SQL Server
Managed Identity for SQL Server
SQL Server in Microsoft Fabric
Mirroring SQL Server in Fabric
Next-Generation SQL Managed Instance
MSSQL Extension for Visual Studio Code
Recorded January 5, 2026

How can you hire and get hired in 2026? While at NDC London, Richard chatted with Suzi Edwards-Alexander about her experiences recruiting technology folks into companies. Suzi talks about developing interview practices that actually reflect the job, rather than examining esoteric knowledge or certifications - it's possible to have an interviewing experience that is actually enjoyable! The conversation dives into the power imbalance between employers and employees and how to resist being seen as lesser for not being employed. Work should be a mutually beneficial experience - we have to do better!
Links
Appartenir
Recorded January 29, 2026

What does it take to get your SaaS offering on multiple cloud providers? Richard chats with Steve Buchanan about his new role at JAMF, which focuses on a mobile device management product for Apple devices. Originally built as a SaaS product on AWS, Steve is helping to build out the JAMF stack on Azure to support a broader range of customers. Steve talks about Kubernetes as the common ground among the major cloud players, but you need to dig into the rest of the tooling to minimize differences across implementations. That means cloud-agnostic tools for deployment, identity, instrumentation, and more! The good news is that there are plenty of tools out there to help you, but it does take time to work out your suite of tools to get consistent results, no matter where the backend resides.
Links
JAMF
OpenTofu
Elastic Kubernetes Service
Azure Kubernetes Service
Google Kubernetes Engine
Microsoft Intune
iOS and Intune
Okta
Prometheus
Grafana
Steve's Pluralsight Classes
KAgent
SOC 2 Type 2
Recorded January 8, 2026

How have large language models impacted hacking? Richard talks to Erica Burgess about her experiences using LLMs for red team hacking, collecting bug bounties, and identifying vulnerabilities in systems. Erica discusses the power of LLMs to generate a variety of viewpoints on a potential exploit and help the hacker think "out of the box." Coordinating multiple agents to attempt a variety of exploits, retrieve information, and otherwise deal with the drudgery parts of hacking means a skilled operator can move faster - what once would be days of work can be minutes. Where does AI in hacking go? Lots of scary places - but also pointing the way to new ways to protect systems!
Links
Burninator Sec
Recorded January 24, 2026

You're using Active Directory Certificate Services - but is it configured securely? Richard talks to Ron Arestia about his work with organizations implementing their own Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) with ADCS. Ron explains how poorly configured ADCS enables lateral attacks within an organization once an initial breach occurs, allowing black hats to move throughout your network. A well-designed PKI system has tiers of protection, with the top level completely disconnected from the network. Or do you really need your own PKI system? The conversation digs into the various scenarios, including third-party options. Certificates are the top level of security for your organization - you need to get it right!
Links
Active Directory Certificate Services
Windows Hello for Business
Certified Pre-Owned
Microsoft Defender for Identity
Secure Privileged Access
Pass the Hash
Microsoft Cloud PKI for Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Entra Conditional Access
Microsoft Autopilot
Ron's Blog
Recorded February 6, 2026