ECI Pulse

What does it actually take to move AI from a talking point to tangible business value in a private equity portfolio? In this episode, ECI's Executive Director Dean Hill sits down with Valérie Legat, Managing Director and Head of Digital at Astorg, to explore exactly that.Valérie shares how Astorg has built two structured AI workstreams across more than 25 portfolio companies — one focused on driving operational efficiency in go-to-market and customer operations, and another on fundamentally rewiring software-heavy companies to put AI at the core of their product development. Central to their approach is a thriving community of practice with over 200 digital and tech leaders sharing knowledge and driving adoption across the portfolio.Dean also brings ECI's perspective on what they're seeing across their global client base, and both speakers close with a candid outlook on where AI in private equity is headed over the next 12 to 18 months.

In Part 2, the conversation picks up as we shift from strategy into execution, with a focused discussion on passwordless security and modern identity solutions.Building on the foundation from Part 1, this episode dives into how passwordless authentication fits into an AI driven workplace, why it is becoming a critical component of enterprise security, and what organizations need to consider when implementing it at scale.We discuss practical use cases, real world challenges, and how modern security approaches can actually enable faster and safer AI adoption rather than slowing innovation down.If you are thinking about scaling AI while strengthening your security posture, this episode brings the conversation home with actionable insights.

As businesses race to adopt AI, one critical question keeps coming up: how do you scale innovation without opening the door to new security risks?In Part 1 of this conversation, we lay the foundation. The discussion focuses on how organizations are approaching AI adoption today, the realities of data governance, and why security must be considered from the very beginning rather than as an afterthought.We explore the challenges companies face when rolling out AI tools across teams, how identity, access, and policy decisions shape long term success, and what leaders should be thinking about before scaling AI across their organization.This episode sets the stage for a deeper technical discussion in Part 2, where the conversation pivots into passwordless security and modern authentication strategies.

In this episode of Cyber Frontlines, Jeff Schmidt, CEO of ECI, and Jonathan Brucato, Director of Security Operations at ECI, explore the foundational role of cyber hygiene in today’s threat landscape—and why it’s more than just awareness training.They discuss:The evolving nature of phishing attacks and the value of phishing simulationsWhy continuous employee training is essential for building a resilient security cultureThe growing complexity of the regulatory landscape, from GDPR to SEC and HIPAAHow modern service providers can accelerate incident recovery and embed security into daily operationsThe advantages of combining MSP and MSSP capabilities to eliminate silos and improve visibilityWhether you're navigating compliance requirements or looking to strengthen your organization’s frontline defenses, this episode offers practical insights into building a more secure and responsive cybersecurity posture.

Episode 2 – AI in the Crosshairs: Threats, Trends, and Tactical ResponseIn this episode of Cyber Frontlines, Jeff Schmidt, CEO of ECI, and Jonathan Brucato, Director of Security Operations at ECI, examine the double-edged nature of artificial intelligence in today’s cybersecurity landscape. As AI becomes more powerful, it’s being used both to defend and to attack—raising urgent questions about governance, strategy, and risk.They explore:How attackers are leveraging AI to scale phishing, impersonation, and malwareThe importance of governance and control in responsible AI adoptionThe concept of Zero Trust and its role in modern security frameworksThe gap between AI adoption and strategic implementation across organizationsWhy a balanced approach to AI is essential for both innovation and protectionWhether you're navigating AI integration or defending against AI-driven threats, this episode offers grounded insights into the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Part 1 – Beyond Passwords: MFA Mandates and the Rise of PasskeysIn this debut episode of Cyber Frontlines, Jeff Schmidt, CEO of ECI, and Jonathan Brucato, Director of Security Operations at ECI, dive into the shifting cybersecurity landscape, focusing on the move away from traditional passwords toward more secure, user-friendly authentication methods.They explore:The growing mandate for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and its real-world limitationsThe rise of passkeys as a phishing-resistant, passwordless alternativeThe role of AI in modern cybersecurity strategiesReal-world vulnerabilities like “Pass-the-Cookie” attacks that bypass MFA by hijacking session tokensThe ongoing importance of cyber hygiene in a rapidly evolving threat environmentWhether you're a cybersecurity professional or simply looking to better understand the future of secure digital access, this episode offers practical insights and forward-looking perspectives.

Welcome to the ECI Pulse, where we break down the latest trends shaping the business world. In this special two-part series, Jeff Schmidt, CEO of ECI, and Rich Itri, Chief Innovation Officer, dive into the fascinating world of AI and its impact on business efficiency, workforce adaptation, and the balance between automation and human expertise.In this episode, Jeff and Rich dig into the real-world challenges of bringing AI into the enterprise—focusing on data security, governance, and practical deployment. They discuss how to enable AI with proper guardrails, how to train teams effectively, and why acceptable use policies are essential. Join us as we uncover the tools empowering businesses to innovate without extensive IT resources and discuss the future of AI in everyday business applications. Whether you're an executive seeking a strategic edge or simply curious about where this technology is headed, this episode offers valuable insights and engaging anecdotes that will keep you hooked. Tune in to discover how AI is giving us back time, driving agility, and transforming the way we work.

Welcome to the ECI Pulse, where we break down the latest trends shaping the business world. In this special two-part series, Jeff Schmidt, CEO of ECI, and Rich Itri, Chief Innovation Officer, dive into the fascinating world of AI and its impact on business efficiency, workforce adaptation, and the balance between automation and human expertise.In this episode, Jeff and Rich explore the latest trends with AI and explore how AI is reshaping the industry and our world. They share real-life stories and use cases, including how AI is being used in unexpected ways in everyday life.Join us as we uncover the tools empowering businesses to innovate without extensive IT resources and discuss the future of AI in everyday business applications. Whether you're an executive seeking a strategic edge or simply curious about where this technology is headed, this episode offers valuable insights and engaging anecdotes that will keep you hooked. Tune in to discover how AI is giving us back time, driving agility, and transforming the way we work.

Welcome to ECI Pulse, our exciting new podcast series! In this episode, Julius Damato, Director of Microsoft One Workplace and AI Solutions at ECI, recaps day three of Microsoft Ignite 2024 and provides insights on the latest announcements from Microsoft. This episode focuses on the exciting enhancements to Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Agents, Copilot Studio, and Microsoft Loop. Discover how these innovations are set to transform the way we work, collaborate, and leverage AI across the Microsoft ecosystem.

Welcome to ECI Pulse, our exciting new podcast series! In this episode, Julius Damato, Director of Microsoft One Workplace and AI Solutions at ECI, recaps day two of Microsoft Ignite 2024 and provides insights on the latest announcements from Microsoft. Julius discusses developments in SharePoint, Azure AI, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Power Platform. 

Welcome to ECI Pulse, our exciting new podcast series! In this episode, Julius Damato, Director of Microsoft One Workplace and AI Solutions at ECI, recaps day one of Microsoft Ignite 2024 and shares his insights on the latest announcements from Microsoft. Tune in as Julius discusses his top five highlights from the first day, with a focus on compliance, governance, and security.