In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Eric Brown and Nick Mellem dive deep into organizational psychology and team dynamics with a refreshingly honest look at how IT Audit Labs is using assessments like CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, and PRINT to decode their team. This isn't fluffy HR talk—it's strategic workforce optimization that directly impacts how security teams respond to threats, collaborate under pressure, and execute on complex projects.

Eric and Nick discuss why understanding your team's natural strengths, motivators, and triggers is just as critical as deploying the right tech stack. From reducing meeting bloat to being more intentional with time and resources, they share real-world lessons on building a culture where people operate in their zone of genius. Plus, they tackle the "what tool would you deploy first" scenario—spoiler: it's not what you think.

🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• Why organizational assessments (CliftonStrengths, Kolbe, PRINT) matter for security teams
• How to be more intentional with meetings, time, and team collaboration
• First tools to deploy in a new security environment (MFA, YubiKeys, Veronus)
• The shift from reactive security to proactive team alignment
• Using AI tools like Gemini to streamline communication and decision-making

#CliftonStrengths #Cybersecurity #TeamBuilding #ITLeadership #SecurityCulture #CISOLife #InfoSec #OrganizationalPsychology

What if the difference between AI mediocrity and breakthrough isn't the tool—it's how you architect your approach? Carter Jensen from The Uncommon Business joins the crew to reveal why most people are stuck "button pushing" while others are unlocking 3X productivity gains. This isn't theory; it's the frontline reality of businesses transforming workflows with the right AI architecture.

If you're tired of surface-level AI hype and ready for actionable intelligence on integrating AI into security, compliance, and everyday business operations, this episode delivers. Whether you're Blockbuster or Netflix is up to you.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

• AI Architecture vs. Button Pushing – The mindset shift that unlocks 3-4X productivity gains instead of mediocre results
• Real Cybersecurity Wins – How IT teams use AI to speed through compliance audits (PCI, CJIS, HIPAA) and tackle complex security workflows
• Enterprise Implementation Truth – Why expensive AI tools fail without strategy, and what actually works for business adoption
• The AI Bubble Debate – Is this hype or the biggest business transformation since the internet? Carter brings receipts from the frontlines

Don't let your team fall behind while competitors architect their way to 4X output. This episode arms IT leaders, CISOs, and security professionals with the mindset shift needed to deploy AI that actually moves the needle. Like, share, and subscribe for more cutting-edge cybersecurity and AI implementation strategies!

#ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #AIforBusiness #ITaudit #ComplianceAutomation

In this special year-end episode, Joshua Schmidt revisits the most mind-bending moments from The Audit's 2025 season. From Justin Marciano and Paul Vann demonstrating live deepfakes in real-time (yes, they actually did it on camera) to Bill Harris explaining how Google's quantum experiments suggest parallel universes, to Alex Bratton's urgent warning about the AI adoption crisis happening right now in boardrooms everywhere.

What You'll Learn:

• How adversaries are using free tools to create convincing deepfakes for job interviews and social engineering attacks—and why this represents a national security threat
• Why NASA shut down its quantum computer after getting results that "challenge contemporary thinking" (and the wild theories circulating about what they discovered)
• The critical mistake companies are making with AI integration: racing ahead without governance, security frameworks, or responsible use policies
• How the Pi-hole community exemplifies open-source security at its best—enterprise-grade protection at fractions of the cost
• Why IT teams saying "no" to AI isn't realistic, and what responsible AI adoption actually looks like

This isn't just a recap—it's a wake-up call. These conversations reveal the inflection points where standing still means falling behind. Whether you're a CISO, security analyst, IT auditor, or business leader trying to navigate AI adoption, these clips offer the perspective you need heading into 2026.

Don't wait until 2026 to realize you missed the critical shift. Subscribe now for cutting-edge cybersecurity insights that keep you ahead of evolving threats.

#cybersecurity #deepfake #quantumcomputing #AI #infosec #ethicalhacking #cyberdefense #2025yearinreview