What happens when IT leaders have to choose between safety and innovation? In New Jersey, one teacher proved that the biggest obstacles to transformation often come from inside our own departments.  Chris Aviles started Garden State eSports during COVID with borrowed laptops and a spreadsheet. Today, it's the largest scholastic eSports league in the country, serving 12,000 students across 400+ schools—and it just became New Jersey's first new varsity activity in 20 years.  In this episode, you'll discover:  How eSports went from basement hobby to legitimate varsity activity with scholarships and college recruiting  Why IT departments are now the biggest barrier to program launches (and how to overcome security concerns safely)  The student success stories that prove inclusive competition changes lives  How schools are turning gaming computers into dual-purpose STEM labs that drive attendance and grades  Chris Aviles, Founder of Garden State eSports, joins host Ed McNamara along with SHI's Jeff Prudente to reveal how this movement is opening doors for students who never participated in school activities before—including 25% with IEPs or autism spectrum diagnoses.  Guest: Chris Aviles, Founder & Executive Director, Garden State eSports Also Featuring: Jeff Prudente, Mobility Manager, SHI International  Learn more: shi.com/esports #eSports #EdTech #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #STEMEducation #InclusiveEducation #SchoolTechnology #GamingForGood    Show Notes & Resources  Organizations & Programs:  Garden State eSports - New Jersey's official scholastic eSports league  SHI eSports Solutions - Equipment, infrastructure, and program support  Interstate Scholastic eSports Alliance - National network spanning 20+ states  Contact: esports@shi.com  Resources for Schools:  Garden State eSports Varsity Certification Program  SHI eSports IT Infrastructure Guide  Equipment recommendations and setup best practices  Network security guidance for school IT departments  Timeline:  00:01:00 - Introduction to eSports growth and impact  00:02:00 - Jeff Prudente on early days of NJ eSports partnership with SHI  00:08:00 - Chris Aviles' origin story and COVID catalyst  00:13:00 - How eSports became a varsity activity (not sport)  00:16:00 - Biggest misconceptions: IT departments as unexpected barriers  00:21:00 - What it's like to attend an eSports championship event  00:26:00 - The critical role of teacher-coaches  00:32:00 - Student success stories: Tyler Sims and Jack's journeys  00:40:00 - How to launch a program in your school  Guest Bios: Chris Aviles is a 17-year teaching veteran and founder of Garden State eSports, which has grown from 100 schools during COVID to become the largest scholastic eSports league in the United States. Under his leadership, New Jersey became the first state to recognize eSports as an official varsity activity.  Jeff Prudente is SHI International's Mobility Manager for Intel and Windows devices. A lifelong gamer and former competitive Halo player, Jeff helped pioneer SHI's eSports education initiative and has been instrumental in bringing programs to school districts nationwide—from 5-computer setups to hundred-workstation arenas. 

A Hong Kong employee sits through what seems like a routine video call with colleagues and the CFO. Everything looks normal. Then comes the urgent wire transfer request. $25 million later, the horrifying truth emerges: every face on that call was fake, generated by AI. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, host Ed McNamara sits down with Erich Kron, Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4, to unpack one of the most sophisticated cyber heists in history. We'll explore how cybercriminals have industrialized deception, the psychology behind why we fall for these scams, and what organizations can do to fight back against the rise of "Cybercrime Inc." Key Takeaways: How attackers used "scripted movie" techniques to pull off a $25M deepfake heist Why cybercrime now operates like big business—complete with HR departments and profit-sharing models The psychology of System 1 vs System 2 thinking and how emotions drive us into making mistakes AI-powered defense tools that are helping organizations stay ahead of deepfake threats Guest: Erich Kron, Security Awareness Advocate, KnowBe4--- This episode is brought to you by KnowBe4. Ready to move beyond cybersecurity awareness to actually reducing human risk? Visit shi.com/partners/knowbe4 to learn how AI is transforming human risk management. #Cybersecurity #Deepfakes #HumanRisk #AI #SocialEngineering #InnovationHeroes--- Show Notes & Resources Learn More About Erich Kron Erich Kron on LinkedIn KnowBe4 Blog - Author Page for Erich Kron The Jericho Show (co-hosted with Javvad Malik) (YouTube) $25 Million Deepfake Zoom Scam - News Coverage Ars Technica: $25 million stolen in deepfake Zoom scam World Economic Forum: What a $25M deepfake scam reveals about AI risks Additional Context KnowBe4's work on Human Risk Management: shi.com/partners/knowbe4

Twelve years. That's how long a vulnerability sat in sudo—the command powering every Linux system—waiting for the wrong hands. When Stratascale researchers Rich Mirch and Quentin Rhoads-Herrera discovered not one, but two zero-day vulnerabilities in sudo, millions of systems worldwide were at risk.  Go behind the scenes of a discovery that could have changed everything—but didn't, thanks to ethical research and responsible disclosure. Learn how a 12-year-old vulnerability went undetected in one of the world's most scrutinized open-source projects, why human curiosity still outpaces automated security tools, and the methodology behind discovering critical flaws in mature, battle-tested software. Guests: Rich Mirch, Principal Security Researcher, Stratascale; Quentin Rhoads-Herrera, VP of Security Services, Stratascale Stratascale is a wholly owned subsidiary of SHI International, delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity research and managed security services. Show Notes & Resources Read our blog announcing the vulnerabilities: https://www.stratascale.com/vulnerability-alert-CVE-2025-32462-sudo-hostCVE Details: • CVE-2025-32462 - The 12-year sudo vulnerability • CVE-2025-32463 - The more severe chroot vulnerability Key Timestamps: • [02:07] - Rich's discovery approach: assuming vulnerabilities exist • [08:03] - Quinton's validation process and initial disbelief • [13:31] - The "double take" moment of confirming the discovery • [21:21] - Dynamic vs. static testing methodology • [29:03] - Why offensive security research matters • [34:44] - Career advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals Learn More: When you need expert guidance on cybersecurity solutions and frameworks, trust SHI's Field CISOs and security experts. We help identify critical gaps, consolidate security platforms, and integrate AI into your cybersecurity practices. Learn more at https://www.shi.com/solutions/cybersecurity

More than 80% of disabilities are invisible, yet too often technology and workplace systems overlook these needs. In this episode, Rutgers swimmer and Deaflympian Brooke Thompson shares her inspiring journey—from Michigan lakes to the global stage—powered by adaptive technology and relentless advocacy. Through her story, we uncover the bigger message for IT and business leaders: accessibility is not a "nice to have" or a compliance checkbox. It's about proactively listening, asking, and equipping people with the tools they need to thrive. In this episode, you'll learn: How adaptive technologies like cochlear implants, closed captioning, and visual strobes create equal playing fields Why up to 74% of workplace accommodation requests get denied—and how to fix it Practical "quick wins" IT leaders can implement for better accessibility The business case for inclusive technology beyond compliance How invisible disabilities impact millions of workers and students daily Guest: Brooke Thompson is a Division I swimmer at Rutgers University, two-time Deaflympian, and SHI spokesperson. Born deaf, she competes at the highest level with the support of adaptive technologies and serves as an advocate for accessibility in sports, education, and the workplace. Subscribe and Connect: Innovation Heroes is part of SHI Media. Find more episodes and IT leadership resources at blog.shi.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on YouTube @SHICorporation. #Accessibility #InclusiveTechnology #WorkplaceInclusion #AdaptiveTech #ITLeadership #Deaflympics #SHI

Innovation Heroes is back. After hitting #1 on the Apple Technology charts, Season 7 brings twelve no-fluff episodes on the real risks and real answers facing IT leaders today—from cybercrime that runs like a Fortune 500 to the power of accessibility in tech.

What should you really do about your VMware environment? Since Broadcom’s acquisition, virtualization strategy has become a hot topic on the minds of CIOs and infrastructure leaders. In this episode, we sit down with Cody Hosterman, Senior Director of Product Management – Cloud at Pure Storage, who speaks with hundreds of IT execs every year through high-level briefings and customer strategy sessions. Cody shares the pulse of the market—what he’s hearing, what’s changed, and what successful organizations are doing differently. From pricing shocks and new bundling models to internal confusion around hybrid roadmaps, many IT leaders are feeling pressure to act. But Cody’s advice is clear: take a breath, assess what you have, and optimize before you overhaul. You’ll walk away with a smarter lens on what really matters right now—how to stay strategic, avoid costly missteps, and prepare your org for whatever’s next.   * * *    This episode is brought to you Pure Storage.Pure Storage’s hybrid cloud solutions seamlessly integrate on-premise and multi-cloud environments. With AI driven automation, security, and high performance, you can easily move, replicate, and protect your data. Learn more at shi.com/partners/pure-storage

Three of our Microsoft experts discuss field-tested strategies to unlocking Microsoft Copilot adoption & ROI, sharing innovative use cases across enterprise, healthcare and the public sector.

What if the company you worked for went bankrupt overnight—only for a bold new leader to step in and turn it into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse?   That’s exactly what happened to SHI’s first employee, Melissa Graham.   In this special episode of Innovation Heroes, we’re celebrating the 35th anniversary of SHI. Melissa, the company's very first employee, shares stories about co-founder and CEO, Thai Lee and dives into SHI’s incredible journey from scrappy upstart to global IT giant.  Tune in to hear stories of resilience, innovation, and the pivotal moments that shaped SHI’s success.  Featuring: Melissa Graham, SHI’s Senior Vice President of the Global Organization and company’s very first employee. 

Last month, no one had heard of DeepSeek. But then it racked up a stunning 16 million downloads in just 18 days — nearly double ChatGPT’s initial adoption.     The China-based AI model has certainly captured the attention of both investors and technologists. But while some see it as the future of AI, others are raising red flags over its origins and potential security risks.     In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore what makes DeepSeek unique, how it compares to existing AI models, and the startling data privacy concerns for businesses and governments worldwide.    Should you dive in? Or swim in shallower waters?     Featuring:  Jack Hogan, Vice President of Advanced Growth Technologies at SHI, leading initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.  Lee Ziliak, Field Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director of Architecture at SHI.  Jordan Mauriello, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Stratascale. 

How are data and AI revolutionizing teams—whether on the field or in the boardroom?  In this episode of Innovation Heroes, Casey Murphy, goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage and the U.S. Women’s National Team, and Founder and Director of Operations of AP2T, Mike Olim, dive into the cutting-edge tech reshaping elite sports.  From wearables to AI-driven insights, discover how these tools optimize performance and help give you an edge over the competition. Featuring: Casey Murphy, goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage and the U.S. Women’s National Team, and Mike Olim, Founder and Director of Operations of AP2T.

What if the future of AI didn’t live in the cloud, but right in the palm of your hand?   In this episode of Innovation Heroes, host Ed McNamara uncovers the revolution of on-device AI with Qualcomm's Mike Belcher, Director of North American Commercial Channels.   Discover how this cutting-edge technology is reshaping industries, slashing costs, helping the environment and redefining what’s possible in personalization, efficiency, and security.   Featuring: Mike Belcher, Qualcomm’s Director of North American Commercial Channels 

It's been an incredible year of captivating stories and thought provoking discussions. We're taking a short break over the holidays to recharge, plan, and gear up for even more exciting episodes in the new year. So mark your calendar, stay subscribed, and keep an ear out for our return.  Until then, take care, enjoy the holiday season, and thank you for making this year truly unforgettable. From SHI and the Innovation Heroes team, keep innovating and we'll see you in 2025.

It’s good to identify a problem. But’s it’s even better to find a solution.  We speak with Elizabeth Bieniek, an innovation consultant and a former Cisco strategist who spearheaded the creation of Webex Hologram – the first real-time, photorealistic holographic tool to transform business collaboration.   Elizabeth shares her journey from a strategic partnerships role to leading the development of revolutionary technology. Learn how a seemingly simple disagreement transformed into a pivotal moment, igniting a quest to redefine remote collaboration.   Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.   Featuring: Elizabeth is the author of "Cake on Tuesday: 25 Lessons to Unlock Corporate Innovation.” 

AI is stealing jobs. But that’s not the whole story. In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore the often-overlooked benefits of AI in the workplace.     While AI is automating tasks and changing job roles, it's also empowering employees, boosting creativity, learning, and unlocking their untapped potential. We speak with Geoff Wright, Global Solutions Owner at Mondelēz International, a global snack food brand leveraging AI to improve their employee experience.    Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.   Featuring: Geoff Wright, Global Solutions Owner at Mondelēz International 

When bad actors get more sophisticated, cybersecurity professionals only have one choice: Innovation.   In this episode of Innovation Heroes, we explore the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape with Brianna Farro, Cisco's Security Director of XDR Product Management. Briana explains why traditional siloed security approaches are insufficient in today's complex threat environment and how extended detection response, or XDR, provides a more comprehensive solution.  We delve into the key capabilities of XDR, including its ability to correlate data from multiple sources, prioritize critical threats, and automate responses. Briana shares real-world examples of XDR's success and advocates for Cisco's open and hybrid XDR approach. Discover how XDR can help your organization improve its security posture and stay ahead of the curve.  Featuring: Briana Farro, Cisco Security Director of XDR Product Management 

What happens when a small town in North Carolina embraces cutting-edge technology to become a leader in smart city innovation? In this episode, host Ed McNamara is joined by SHI’s Senior Vice President of Public Sector Sales, Denise Collison, and special guest Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager and Chief Innovation Officer for Cary, North Carolina.   Together, they dive into the challenges and successes of digital transformation in local government. Ault shares insights on pioneering smart city initiatives, securing critical infrastructure, and improving citizen engagement, while Collison adds her expertise on navigating the unique complexities of public sector technology adoption.  Through this conversation, listeners get a glimpse of how municipalities like Cary are leveraging technology to create more connected, efficient, and secure communities. From the use of sensors to mitigate stormwater risks to the implementation of a groundbreaking 311 system, Ault’s work exemplifies the future of digital government.   Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.  Featuring: Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager and Chief Innovation Officer of the Town of Cary, North Carolina and Denise Collison, Senior Vice-President of Public Sector Sales at SHI 

What if the key to detecting cancer earlier—and saving thousands of lives—lies in AI? Host Ed McNamara explores how Kheiron Medical is making that a reality. Joined by Peter Kecskemethy, CEO and co-founder, and Sarah Kerruish, Chief Strategy Officer, they delve into the groundbreaking technology behind Mia® – Kheiron’s AI-powered tool that is revolutionizing breast cancer detection by detecting what the human eye might miss.  Named one of the biggest medical breakthroughs of 2023, Mia® is proving its potential in real-world clinical settings, boosting breast cancer detection rates and offering hope to thousands of women. Peter and Sarah share the challenges, triumphs, and future of AI in healthcare, offering a glimpse into how technology is reshaping cancer diagnostics and changing lives.   Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.  Featuring: Peter Kecskemethy, CEO and co-founder of Kheiron Medical, and Sarah Kerruish, Chief Strategy Officer. 

As AI continues to dominate conversations around digital transformation, its implications for cybersecurity are becoming impossible to ignore. In this latest episode of Innovation Heroes, we dive into the dynamic world of AI and cybersecurity with two expert guests, Chris Louie, Customer Success Architect, and Brian Deitch, Chief Technology Evangelist at Zscaler.   As leaders in cloud security and popular podcasters of the show PEBCAK, Louie and Deitch break down the critical intersections between artificial intelligence and Zero Trust security. They share practical insights into how AI is transforming threat detection and response, and explore the evolving use cases of AI in business.   Join us as we discuss both the opportunities and threats posed by AI and how businesses can protect themselves in an increasingly digital world.  Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.  Featuring: Brian Deitch, Chief Technology Evangelist at Zscaler and Chris Louie, Customer Success Architect at Zscaler.  

How can failure fuel future success? To answer this question, Ed McNamara meets with two remarkable guests: Michael Stern, the former General Counsel at General Magic and CEO of Spellbound Productions and Veronica Miles, COO of General Magic Workshops. The conversation revolves around one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic "failures"—General Magic—a company that was far ahead of its time and whose work laid the foundation for much of the technology we use every day.  Together, Miles and Stern reflect on General Magic's legacy, the revolutionary innovations it brought forth, and the valuable lessons it offers to the next generation of innovators. Featuring: Michael Stern, formally General Counsel at General Magic and executive producer of the General Magic film, and Veronica Miles, COO of General Magic Workshops   SHI's Innovation Heroes is a podcast exploring the people and businesses driving change in our drastically disrupted world. 

Welcome to Season 6 of Innovation Heroes. On this episode, Ed McNamara is joined by SHI Field CTO Dave Gruver to explore the transformative power of Industry 4.0 technologies across various sectors—including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.   But that's not all––we're setting our sights even higher, looking at how these advancements are propelling us into space. With insights from Intel’s Stacey Shulman, VP of Health, Education, and Consumer Industries, this episode delves into how space innovation is poised to revolutionize the business landscape.   Discover the challenges, opportunities, and future trends of Industry 4.0 and how businesses can prepare to thrive in this new era. Tune in now to learn how SHI is helping businesses solve what's next, both on Earth and beyond.  Listen to the full episode below or wherever you get your podcasts.   Featuring: Dave Gruver, SHI Field CTO and Stacey Shulman, VP Health, Education and Consumer Industries, NEX Group at Intel  SHI's Innovation Heroes is a podcast exploring the people and businesses driving change in our drastically disrupted world.