Drawing on insights from Dune’s Inside Access research report titled CISOs on the Emerging Threats Redefining User Cyber Risk, the conversation explores how AI is supercharging phishing, how multi-channel “hybrid” attacks are reshaping the threat landscape, and why most organizations still can’t see what’s happening across encrypted or informal apps like Slack, Teams, and WhatsApp.

They also dig into the cultural blind spots keeping CISOs from tackling these risks, the rise of insider threats and nation-state job applicants, and the importance of collaboration among cybersecurity leaders to outpace increasingly organized and professionalized adversaries.

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Discussed in this episode:

• AI-driven phishing that’s three times more effective than traditional campaigns
• Hybrid social engineering attacks spanning email, chat, video, and voice
• Why encrypted channels remain a major blind spot for CISOs
• Adaptive training and user risk scoring as smarter defense models
• The growing insider threat from remote and nation-state actors
• How cybercriminals collaborate, and why defenders must do the same

Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional, IT leader, or just curious about the current state of digital threats, this episode delivers a clear-eyed look at what defenders need to know (and do) right now. 

Discussed in this episode: 

• The growing sophistication of adversaries, including increased use of identity-based attacks and legitimate tools for lateral movement 
• Why over 75% of intrusions now involve valid credentials, making MFA and identity protection more critical than ever 
• The importance of “breakout time” and how defenders can reduce response delays 
• How endpoint detection and response (EDR) strategies are evolving in response to faster, more covert threats 
• Why adversary tradecraft—not malware—is now the primary concern for defenders 
• Tips for operationalizing insights from the report to strengthen your cybersecurity posture 

Unlike traditional Hype Cycles focused on specific tools or disciplines, this one zooms out to examine the broader forces shaping our world: from geopolitical shifts and generational divides to workforce transformation and the erosion of critical thinking in an AI-saturated landscape. 

Victoria and Dave explore how businesses can build frameworks for smarter decision-making in an era of information overload and technological acceleration. They touch on everything from the rise of global talent pools to the role of curiosity in future-proofing your career. 

For more analysis on research like this, be sure to subscribe to SHI’s Research Roundup on LinkedIn. 

Discussed in this episode 

• Gartner research that tracks non-tech forces that impact tech decisions 
• The balancing act between innovation and information overwhelm 
• How global demographic shifts will redefine work and talent sourcing 
• Why curiosity may be the most important skill in the AI age 

Drawing on Gartner's report How Enterprise PC Buyers Can Prepare for the AI-Driven Memory Shortage — featured in the February 20th edition of SHI's Research Roundup newsletter — the three discuss why this moment may actually be a forcing function for smarter, more resilient IT strategy: from platform diversification and intelligent refresh cycles to asset recovery programs and DEX tooling. 

Discussed in this episode: 

• Why memory suppliers are failing to honor OEM commitments and how that's cascading into enterprise budgets set in mid-2025 
• The parallels to the 2021 supply crunch, and why IT shops are better (but not fully) prepared this time 
• Platform and vendor diversification as a risk mitigation strategy, including growing interest in Apple, AMD, and Qualcomm/ARM on Windows 
• Device as a Service (DaaS) and financing models as tools for locking in pricing and smoothing budget volatility 
• Asset recovery and the rising residual value of older devices; why used hardware is spiking in value (and what a well-managed return program can return) 
• Repurposing aging devices as thin clients via W365, ChromeOS Flex, and IGEL 
• The shift from time-based to performance-based, persona-driven refresh cycles 
• Digital employee experience (DEX) tools and the explosion of players in that market 
• Why telemetry and device data are now table stakes for intelligent procurement decisions 
• Scenario planning over static annual plans; building flexibility into your EUC strategy for 2026 and beyond 

Resources mentioned: 

• Gartner Report: How Enterprise PC Buyers Can Prepare for the AI-Driven Memory Shortage 
• SHI's Research Roundup newsletter (February 20th edition): Available on SHI's LinkedIn page 
• Learn more about the memory shortage and how to navigate it with SHI here

Rather than treating the memory shortage as a short-term procurement issue, the conversation explores the deeper structural forces at play. Russ explains how growing demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI systems can create ripple effects across the broader memory ecosystem, impacting supply and pricing for technologies like DDR5. Steve adds that organizations cannot simply “buy their way out” of the problem. Instead, IT leaders will need a more nuanced strategy that includes optimizing existing workloads, understanding application-level memory usage, and aligning infrastructure investments with evolving business priorities.   

The discussion also highlights how traditional supply chain approaches (especially just-in-time infrastructure procurement) are being tested by the AI boom. Russ argues that organizations may need to rethink how they design IT architectures, focusing less on hyper-efficiency and more on maintaining flexibility and control. This includes strategies such as abstracting applications from specific cloud services, diversifying infrastructure options, and designing systems that can adapt when supply constraints or pricing changes emerge. 

Ultimately, the current memory shortage may serve as a catalyst for broader change in enterprise IT strategy. Instead of reacting to price increases, CIOs and infrastructure teams have an opportunity to reassess architecture, prioritize resilience, and ensure they retain the ability to pivot as technology markets shift.  

Discussed in this episode: 

• The AI-driven memory shortage and why data center costs are rising 
• How high bandwidth memory (HBM) demand affects the entire memory market 
• Why the current memory crisis may be a “supercycle” rather than a typical memory cycle 
• Strategies for mitigating supply shortages, including right-sizing workloads and extending hardware lifespan 
• The risks of relying on just-in-time infrastructure procurement 
• Why control and flexibility are becoming critical design principles in enterprise IT 
• How CIOs can rethink infrastructure strategy to navigate supply chain volatility 

Rather than reacting to FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), the conversation emphasizes scenario-based planning. Steve outlines how SHI's Strategic Technology Office models potential outcomes month-by-month to help organizations anticipate changes in availability, lead times, and pricing.  

Russ expands the conversation by introducing a shift in mindset—designing infrastructure not just for uptime, but for availability over time. With supply disruptions now occurring more frequently, organizations may need to plan three to four years ahead and assume that at least one year of procurement could fail. This challenges traditional just-in-time models and forces a broader conversation around acceptable business risk and long-term capacity planning.   

Finally, the discussion highlights a critical organizational shift: navigating supply constraints is not just an IT problem. CIOs, CFOs, and executive leadership must work together to balance cost optimization with resilience. As technology becomes inseparable from business performance, this moment represents an opportunity to strengthen cross-functional alignment and rethink how organizations prepare for disruption.    

Discussed in this episode 

• The impact of the 2026 memory shortage on data center strategy 
• Scenario planning as a tool for navigating supply uncertainty 
• AI-driven demand and its effect on memory allocation and pricing 
• Designing infrastructure for multi-year availability, not just uptime 
• Rethinking just-in-time procurement models 
• Aligning CIO and CFO priorities around risk and investment 
• Treating IT as a business partner, not a service provider 

While Part 1 focused on cutting through AI hype and infrastructure distractions, this episode turns to two issues that may matter even more: workforce re-skilling and the conspicuous absence of quantum computing from most trend reports. The conversation explores what organizations are actually recruiting for in 2026, why curiosity and adaptability may matter more than specific technical credentials, and how learning organizations build long-term resiliency. 

Then the discussion shifts to what Marc calls “the Y2K of our era”: quantum computing. From “harvest now, decrypt later” risks to the potential breaking of today’s cryptographic foundations, the team examines why quantum is not a distant theoretical problem, but a present-day strategic concern that many organizations still are not addressing. 

Discussed in this episode: 

• Why workforce re-skilling must be a formal pillar in 2026 strategy 
• Hiring for adaptability and learning ability versus static technical skills 
• The value of cross-disciplinary backgrounds in technology leadership 
• Mentorship and learning cultures as foundations of organizational resiliency 
• Why quantum computing is largely missing from 2026 trend conversations 
• What “Q-Day” means for encryption and cybersecurity 
• The real risk behind “harvest now, decrypt later” data strategies 
• Why quantum is a strategic risk even if you don’t understand the math 
• The critical executive question: Who owns the quantum plan inside your organization? 

From domestic chip production and AI silicon to humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, and the ever-growing power demands of data centers, the headlines suggest a year defined by breakthrough innovation. But as Brad and Marc make clear, not every “shiny” technology deserves executive attention. 

Part one of this two-part series centers on resiliency, core competencies, data quality, and the role of trusted partners in navigating transformation. What does it really mean to “transform” as an organization? Are you becoming a butterfly, or just bolting wings onto a caterpillar? 

For CIOs, CISOs, and executive leaders feeling pressure to respond to every emerging trend, this episode offers an important lesson: focus less on hype, more on foundations. 

Discussed in this episode: 

• Why data center power and chip supply are executive-level concerns, but not always directly controllable 
• The risks of vendor fragility in tight supply environments 
• AI savings headlines vs. the reality of multi-year transformation journeys 
• Why “AI” is often a proxy for deeper data quality problems 
• Lessons from manufacturing, mining, and gaming on practical automation 
• The difference between true transformation and surface-level modernization 
• Why most organizations shouldn’t be building their own AI solutions 
• The importance of knowing your organization’s core competencies before chasing trends 

The headline finding from the research is a 21% reduction in total cost of ownership. The key message throughout is that this kind of result doesn't come from any single action, but from being intentional at every stage of the device lifecycle: selection, financing, deployment, management, and end-of-life recovery. 

The findings in this report are particularly timely given the ongoing memory shortage that has driven up device prices and stretched lead times across the industry. With supply constraints pushing hardware costs higher, organizations without a structured DLM approach are feeling the pressure most acutely, forced into reactive purchasing at unfavorable prices with little flexibility. The strategies discussed in this episode offer a practical buffer: extending device lifespans, timing refreshes intelligently using DEX tools and residual value calculators and leveraging flexible financing models like Device as a Service to reduce exposure to price spikes.  

Discussed in This Episode 

• Getting maximum residual value from retiring devices through remarketing and buyback strategy 
• The risks of bulk purchasing, forward buying, and devices sitting undeployed 
• Storage costs, inventory shrinkage, and warranty timing pitfalls 
• CapEx vs. OpEx and the rise of Device as a Service (DaaS) models 
• End-of-life disposal: financial value and legal liability considerations 
• DEX tools and residual value calculators for optimizing refresh timing 
• The impact of aging peripherals on user experience and productivity 
• Managing device lifecycles across international organizations  

Resources & Links 

• The Economic Benefits of SHI Device Lifecycle Management — Omdia report  
• Subscribe to the Research Roundup newsletter on SHI's LinkedIn page

Gartner highlights the potential to cut software, cloud, and AI costs by up to 30% within two years, but only if organizations stop treating ITAM and FinOps as separate silos. The team explores what this convergence really means, why governance and accountability matter more than tooling, and how CIOs can prepare for the inevitable integration of disciplines like ITAM, FinOps, and TBM. 

If you’re a CIO, ITAM lead, FinOps practitioner, or anyone navigating rising technology costs, this episode will help you understand not just the “why” but also the “how” of bringing these practices together. 

🔗 For a limited time, you can access a complimentary copy of the Gartner report discussed in this episode here: https://shi-intl.com/ui2V3 

Discussed in this episode: 

• Why 30% savings is realistic, but only with major changes 
• How AI spend complicates visibility and accountability 
• Why tools alone won’t fix ITAM/FinOps challenges 
• The skills, roles, and leadership needed to drive integration 
• What happens if your competitors achieve 30% savings and you don’t 

Throughout the conversation, they explore how AI is reshaping both attack methods and defense strategies, why breach costs are trending differently in the U.S. compared to the rest of the world, and what CISOs and boards can do to move from reactive to proactive strategies. 

They also dive into the dual role of AI as both a weapon and a shield, the critical governance gaps organizations still face, and the business decisions behind paying (or refusing to pay) ransomware demands. 

Discussed in this episode 

• Global data breach costs decline for the first time in five years 
• How AI is being used by both attackers and defenders 
• Shadow AI and the risks of poor access controls 
• Why U.S. breach costs continue to climb past $10 million 
• Business decision-making around paying ransomware demands 
• The importance of AI governance and security at the board level 
• Shifting from reactive spending to proactive cybersecurity strategies

In this debut episode, Victoria Barber (Senior Director of Strategic Insights at SHI) is joined by Shane Cronin, Head of ITAM Services at SHI, and Jennifer Kuvlesky, Director of Product Marketing at Flexera, to unpack the findings from Flexera’s 2025 State of ITAM Report. 

Together, they dive into why audit costs remain stubbornly high, the persistent challenges of IT asset sprawl, and how AI and FinOps are reshaping ITAM practices. The episode sheds light on what’s holding ITAM back and where the opportunities lie for organizations ready to evolve. 

Discussed in this episode 

• Why 45% of organizations paid over $1M in audit costs in the past 3 years 
• The reactive trap: Why ITAM maturity remains low despite years of effort 
• 30% waste: The true cost of software sprawl and what to do about it 
• SaaS déjà vu: Why generative AI may repeat past governance failures 
• FinOps + ITAM: The growing convergence and why it matters 
• Strategic reporting lines and the importance of business alignment 
• How AI could both complicate and streamline ITAM practices 
• The role of partners in supplementing internal ITAM expertise