#450 - New to Identity with Alexis Bernthal
Source: YouTube · Identity at the Center · published Sep 28, 2026 · 1:23:31
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This episode features an interview with Alexis Bernthal, a technology risk consulting associate at RSM, discussing her journey into the Identity and Access Management (IAM) field, the importance of community engagement, and strategies for new professionals to enter the industry 0:43.
Key Takeaways:
• Alexis discovered the Identity at the Center podcast through a corporate email and proactively reached out to the hosts, leading to a mentorship opportunity and attendance at the Identiverse conference 2:43.
• She emphasizes that IAM is foundational to security, describing it as a "language" where understanding core concepts allows for specialization in areas like authentication, AI, or program management 30:00.
• The identity community is highlighted as exceptionally welcoming, with veterans actively encouraging newcomers to introduce themselves and share their knowledge 54:30.
• Alexis advises aspiring IAM professionals to cultivate curiosity, maintain a positive attitude, and utilize resources like certifications, online content, and networking to bridge the technical gap 08:10.
• Ian Glazer shares his non-linear career path, noting that he fell into IAM without formal training and that luck and networking play significant roles in career opportunities 59:30.
The conversation underscores that a career in IAM is accessible to those with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, regardless of their initial technical background. By leveraging community resources and maintaining a proactive mindset, new entrants can successfully navigate and thrive in this evolving field.
Sources:
- 0:43 Introduction of guest Alexis Bernthal and her role at RSM.
- 2:43 Story of how Alexis discovered the podcast and initiated contact.
- 30:00 Discussion on IAM as a language and the path to specialization.
- 54:30 Advice on networking and engaging with the welcoming identity community.
- 08:10 Strategies for learning IAM, including certifications and curiosity.
- 59:30 Ian Glazer's personal journey into IAM and the role of luck.
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First 800 characters of the transcript
This is Identity at the Center. Welcome to the Identity of the Center podcast. I'm Jeff and I got no Jim today. Flying by myself. Have a little bit of a guest today, someone I work with. We're going to get to in a second. Uh instead, Jim is on assignment as we like to say in the business, but he and I will be at a bunch of conferences that are coming up over the next really several weeks. I think I've got like eight straight weeks on the road. But if you're going to be at the Atlanta Cyber Security Summit, by the time people hear this, on Wednesday, September 30th, I will be there on stage uh having a fireside conversation, Sands Fire. Uh and then the week after that, Sailpoint Nate. Uh I'll be there as well, roaming the halls of uh Austin uh the Marriott V uh hotels that that place will b…