Guardians of the Directory

Guardians of the Directory

Guardians of the Directory is more than just a podcast-it’s a practical resource for IT admins managing, securing, and recovering Active Directory, Entra ID, and hybrid identity environments.

Hosted by Craig Birch, an identity security expert and former AD admin with over 25 years of experience, this show delivers straightforward, actionable insights to help IT pros stay ahead of identity threats.

Craig brings real-world expertise, breaking down attack techniques, misconfigurations, and ITDR strategies to help organizations detect, respond, and recover faster than attackers can move.

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Latest Episode: 25 Years of Active Directory: Past, Present & Future!

Guardians of the Directory Episodes

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Episode 6 Mar 19, 2025

25 Years of Active Directory: Past, Present & Future!

In this episode of Guardians of the Directory, host Craig Birch interviews Kevin Kampman, a veteran in directory services, discussing the evolution of Active Directory, its challenges, and the future of directory management. They explore the historical context of directory services, the impact of cloud technology, and the importance of naming conventions in directory management....

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Episode 5 Mar 19, 2025

From Red Team to Teacher: Transforming Cybersecurity Knowledge into Community Power

In this episode of Guardians of the Directory, host Craig Birch engages with John Harper, founder of Hackers Teaching Hackers, to discuss the evolution of cybersecurity education, the importance of community sharing, and the vulnerabilities within Active Directory. They explore the offensive security landscape, the significance of hands-on learning, and practical strategies for strengthening Active...

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Episode 3 Mar 19, 2025

Active Directory’s Dark Side: Underbelly Threats and Shadowy Permissions

In this episode of Guardians of the Directory, Craig Birch and Derek Melber delve into the complexities of Active Directory security, focusing on the stealthy threats posed by shadow permissions, DC Shadow, and DC Sync. They discuss the historical context of these vulnerabilities, the role of applications in creating shadow permissions, and the importance of...

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Episode 2 Mar 19, 2025

Hacked Hallways: Cyber Threats in K-12 Education

This conversation delves into the critical issue of cybersecurity in K-12 education, highlighting the vulnerabilities schools face due to budget constraints, lack of training, and the unique challenges of supporting a diverse student population. Jason, an IT expert, shares insights on the value of school data to cybercriminals, recent case studies of cyber attacks, common...

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Episode 1 Mar 19, 2025

Beyond Defense: Why Traditional Defenses against Ransomware Fail

In this episode of Guardians of the Directory, Craig Birch and Mike Brennan discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, particularly focusing on identity security and the challenges organizations face in preventing ransomware attacks. They explore the inadequacies of traditional security measures, the importance of proactive strategies, and the need for continuous monitoring and modern recovery...