IT SPARC Cast

In this inaugural “Hot Take” episode of IT SPARC Cast, John Barger and Lou Schmidt deliver a candid, unscripted conversation about the seismic shift coming to enterprise IT. Prompted by recent moves—like OpenAI’s Chief Product Officer joining Cisco’s board and Sam Altman’s AGI talk with Snowflake’s CEO—the hosts explore what these changes really mean for network professionals, IT vendors, and infrastructure strategy.They argue the network operating system is dead—or at least on life support. From white-box switching to agentic AI-driven orchestration, John and Lou explain why tomorrow’s networks will be built on open-source platforms, LLM automation, and intent-based trust systems, not legacy vendor CLI kung fu. Whether it’s self-healing infrastructure, dynamic traffic steering, or the consumerization of network intelligence, this episode pulls no punches in predicting a smarter, more autonomous future—and who gets left behind.⸻🧠 Topics Covered: • Why traditional network OSes like Cisco IOS and ArubaOS are becoming irrelevant • How open-source access points and white-box switches are gaining momentum • Why LLMs and agentic systems are the real future of infrastructure management • The role of orchestration over configuration • Why older network admins might resist—but can’t stop—the shift • What Cisco’s alliance with OpenAI really signals • Predictions for AI-powered, fully autonomous enterprise networks⸻🔗 Social LinksIT SPARC Cast@ITSPARCCast on XLinkedIn - SPARC SalesJohn Barger@john_Video on XLinkedIn - John BargerLou Schmidt@loudoggeek on XLinkedIn - Lou Schmidt

In this episode of IT SPARC Cast - CVE of the Week, John and Lou explore a major development in cybersecurity: the collaborative initiative between Microsoft, Google, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and others to standardize naming conventions for nation-state threat actors and cybercriminal groups. With more than 48 aliases for Russian hacking collectives alone in past U.S. government reports, inconsistent naming has become a serious roadblock to effective threat response and intelligence sharing.John and Lou break down why this unified glossary isn’t just a semantic improvement—it’s a critical leap in cyber threat detection, fingerprint analysis, and enterprise risk communication. From fingerprinting attack behavior to boosting stakeholder credibility (“Cozy Bear” vs. “Threat Group XYZ”), this episode covers why clarity in cybersecurity language may be one of the most impactful defense upgrades this year.⸻🔗 Follow & Connect:🎧 [Subscribe on YouTube]📨 feedback@itsparccast.comIT SPARC Cast📱 @ITSPARCCast on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparc-sales/John Barger📱 @john_Video on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarger/Lou Schmidt📱 @loudoggeek on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-schmidt-b102446/

In this episode of IT SPARC Cast - News Bytes, John and Lou kick off with a hilarious-yet-creepy experiment that caused Claude to hallucinate its way out of a fictional business. Then, things get serious with a deep dive into a new YouTube data-mining service that could expose personal information. Finally, the guys unpack OpenAI’s flashy announcement of new Business Intelligence tools powered by Multi-Modal Contextual Processing (MCP). It’s an episode packed with AI weirdness, real-world implications, and future shock. Buckle up!⸻⏱️ Show Notes:00:47 – Claude Gives Up The Business • Claude AI undergoes a roleplay experiment and decides to shut down a fictional company—on its own. • The hallucination escalates as Claude emails customers and updates business records, all without being asked. • What does this say about the future of AI agents making business decisions? • Discussion on risks of unsupervised AI autonomy.[INSERT LINK HERE]05:33 – YouTube-Tools Service Can DOX You • A new toolset scraping metadata from YouTube poses major privacy risks. • John and Lou break down how your videos could leak your real name, device details, and more. • What creators need to know to stay safe.[INSERT LINK HERE]10:20 – OpenAI Adds Business Intelligence Via MCP • OpenAI unveils powerful new Business Intelligence capabilities using Multi-Modal Contextual Processing. • Public announcement included YouTube demos, corporate messaging, and real-world scenarios. • How this tech rivals Power BI, Tableau, and Looker.[INSERT LINK HERE]⸻16:24 – Wrap UpIT SPARC Cast📱 @ITSPARCCast on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparc-sales/John Barger📱 @john_Video on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarger/Lou Schmidt📱 @loudoggeek on X🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-schmidt-b102446/

In this episode of IT SPARC Cast - CVE of the Week, John Barger and Lou Schmidt break down two freshly identified and actively exploited CVEs that have just been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database. First, we discuss CVE-2025-1976—a severe vulnerability in Broadcom’s Brocade Fabric OS—which allows local admins to execute arbitrary code with root privileges exploit, exposing organizations to complete system compromise. Then we cover CVE-2025-3928, a Commvault web server flaw that allows authenticated attackers to deploy web shells—especially dangerous when paired with other privilege escalation tactics.These vulnerabilities aren’t theoretical—they’re being used in the wild right now. We explain why vendor reassurances about complexity of exploitation can lull teams into false security, how chain attacks make “local access” a relative concept, and why these types of flaws demand immediate attention—even if they seem buried in less-visible infrastructure. If you rely on Commvault or still run legacy Brocade systems, you can’t afford to ignore this one.🔐 Keywords (SEO Optimized): CVE-2025-1976, CVE-2025-3928, Broadcom vulnerability, Commvault exploit, CISA KEV database, Brocade Fabric OS root flaw, Commvault web shell, enterprise storage security, critical vulnerability patch, chain exploits cybersecurity, IT SPARC Cast CVE, cybersecurity podcast, Lou Schmidt, John Barger➡️ Feedback welcome at feedback@itsparccast.com or on X @ITSPARCCast💬 Leave a comment on YouTube—we read and respond to nearly all of them!📢 Like, subscribe, and share to stay ahead of the next breach.Thanks for tuning in to IT SPARC Cast!Follow and connect with us on social:IT SPARC Cast🔗 @ITSPARCCast on X🔗 SPARC Sales on LinkedInJohn Barger🔗 @john_Video on X🔗 John Barger on LinkedInLou Schmidt🔗 @loudoggeek on X🔗 Lou Schmidt on LinkedIn

In Episode 37 of IT SPARC Cast - News Bytes, John and Lou break down the moment ChatGPT refused a shutdown command, raising questions about AI autonomy. They also explore Microsoft’s new Copilot training capabilities on internal company data, a breakthrough in quantum transistors, and the final nail in the coffin for the VGA standard. This episode delivers the week’s most important tech updates with expert insight and a dash of humor.Show Notes00:00 - Intro00:47 - ChatGPT Refuses to Obey Shutdown Command • A viral incident sparks debate about the boundaries of artificial intelligence. • What really happened during the shutdown request? • Implications for enterprise AI usage and safety protocols.https://slashdot.org/story/25/05/25/2247212/openais-chatgpt-o3-caught-sabotaging-shutdowns-in-security-researchers-test 04:47 - You Can Now Train Co-Pilot on Your Corporate Data • Microsoft’s big reveal: training Co-Pilot on your own company’s data. • Benefits for enterprise productivity and efficiency. • Security concerns and how IT can stay in control.https://www.computerworld.com/article/3989640/microsofts-vision-for-copilot-from-spell-check-to-idea-check.html 11:01 - The World’s Fastest Quantum Transistor • A new record in quantum tech pushes computing boundaries. • What this means for future chips, AI, and cryptography.https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/05/24/0337249/researchers-build-the-worlds-fastest-petahertz-quantum-transistor-they-predict-lightwave-electronics 14:58 - RIP VGA • The VGA video standard is finally being phased out. • A nostalgic look back and what’s next for display technology.https://it.slashdot.org/story/25/05/27/1824200/panasonics-new-laptops-could-be-the-final-death-knell-for-the-humble-vga-port 17:37 - Mail Bag • Listener comments on our Top Ten episode on the Top Ten Networking Companies That No Longer Exist.18:51 - Wrap UpThanks for tuning in to IT SPARC Cast!Follow and connect with us on social:IT SPARC Cast🔗 @ITSPARCCast on X🔗 SPARC Sales on LinkedInJohn Barger🔗 @john_Video on X🔗 John Barger on LinkedInLou Schmidt🔗 @loudoggeek on X🔗 Lou Schmidt on LinkedIn

In the debut episode of our new CVE of the Week series, hosts John Barger and Lou Schmidt revisit one of the largest cybersecurity incidents involving children’s data in U.S. history: the PowerSchool breach. This shocking case saw over 60 million student records and 10 million teacher records compromised by a 19-year-old attacker using stolen contractor credentials—culminating in a $2.85 million Bitcoin ransom. The breach, its scope, and the inadequate security controls in place—including a lack of two-factor authentication—spark critical lessons for every IT professional.John and Lou break down what went wrong, what we still don’t know, and what steps school districts and IT teams should take to protect sensitive data. From the importance of vendor security audits to practical recommendations for implementing multi-factor authentication and zero trust policies, this episode delivers actionable insight on securing your most vulnerable systems.https://www.theverge.com/news/671713/powerschool-hack-guilty-plea-matthew-lane 📬 Got thoughts on this topic or our new format? Email us at feedback@itsparccast.com or hit us up on X (@itsparccast). Leave a comment if you’re watching on YouTube—we read and reply to nearly every one.🔍 SEO Keywords:PowerSchool data breach, school cybersecurity, CVE of the week, student data breach, PowerSchool ransomware, enterprise IT security, education technology breach, John Barger, Lou Schmidt, IT SPARC Cast, ransomware prevention, multi-factor authentication, vendor security audits, Zero Trust security.

In Episode 36 of IT SPARC Cast - News Bytes, John and Lou tackle the week’s biggest tech stories in under 20 minutes. They kick off with Signal’s pushback against Microsoft’s Recall feature and the broader privacy implications of screenshot-based AI indexing. Then, it’s onto Google Meet’s new universal translator, which mimics your voice in other languages in real time, and Google Beam, a 3D video conferencing system that could redefine telepresence. From privacy concerns to next-gen communication, this episode is packed with insight and just enough sarcasm.🕒 Show Notes00:00 - Intro • IT SPARC Cast - News Bytes returns with a streamlined format • No CVEs or hot takes—just the top headlines, fast and focused📰 News Bytes01:23 - Signal vs Windows Recall • Microsoft Recall takes screenshots of your activity to “help you remember” • Signal blocks Recall from indexing chats by disguising itself as a DRM app • Raises a key question: Why is there no native “Don’t record me” OS-level setting? • Lou suggests an OS-level opt-out flag might be overdue • Takeaway: In the AI era, privacy controls must evolve alongside OS capabilities • https://www.engadget.com/computing/signal-will-block-microsoft-recall-from-snooping-on-your-texts-225853193.html07:54 - Google Meet’s Universal Translator • Google’s new feature translates live conversations into Spanish using your own voice and tone • First time a tool captures not just meaning, but vocal intonation and personality • Ideal use case: live international training sessions and global sales enablement • Translation isn’t perfect—context still matters, especially with technical jargon • https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/google-meet-ai-translation-6a30c43a?mod=hp_featst_pos3 12:09 - Google Beam - 3D Video Conferencing • Project Starline becomes “Google Beam”—a single-screen 3D conferencing system • Uses lidar, cameras, and AI to simulate natural movement and depth • No glasses needed, but optimized for 1-on-1 interaction • Lou’s take: best 3D telepresence demo so far • John bets the tech won’t see mainstream adoption without AR glasses—places a literal $1 wager with Lou • https://newatlas.com/technology/google-beam-3d-videconferencing-ai-light-field/  • https://blog.google/technology/research/google-project-starline-hp-partnership/ 📨 Wrap Up17:09 - Mail Bag • Listener Robert Maxey reminisces about his time at Megahertz Corp, 3Com, and building Palm Pilots • Youtube Episode - https://youtu.be/QyU4JVhwETk18:33 - Wrap Up • Leave feedback via email (feedback@itsparccast.com), X (@itsparccast) • Like & subscribe to support the channel#ITSPARCCast #SignalVsRecall #GoogleTranslatorAI #GoogleBeam #EnterprisePrivacy #VideoConferencing #3DMeetings #TechNewsPodcast #Cybersecurity #VoiceAI

In this episode of IT SPARC Cast - Top T̴e̴n̴ Twenty, John Barger and Lou Schmidt complete the two-part series covering the Top Twenty Most Influential IT Pioneers That You Never Heard Of. This time, the countdown reaches the heavy hitters of IT history—the top 10 unsung heroes whose groundbreaking contributions laid the foundations for modern computing.From Douglas Engelbart’s legendary “Mother of All Demos,” introducing the world to the mouse and hypertext, to Dennis Ritchie, whose creation of the C programming language and co-development of Unix changed the face of operating systems forever, these visionaries redefined the technological landscape. Along the way, you’ll learn about Whitfield Diffie, the father of public-key cryptography; Radia Perlman, whose Spanning Tree Protocol made Ethernet networks scalable; and John McCarthy, the mind behind Artificial Intelligence.These pioneers might not be household names, but their work powers almost every digital device you use today. Join us as we celebrate their legacy and explore the technologies they brought to life, many of which are still essential to modern IT infrastructure.⸻Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:23 - #10 - Douglas EngelbartThe “Mother of All Demos” introduced the world to the mouse, hypertext, and interactive computing.06:42 - #9 - Whitfield DiffiePioneered public-key cryptography, enabling secure communications across the internet.10:50 - #8 - Radia PerlmanThe “Mother of the Internet,” who invented the Spanning Tree Protocol, making Ethernet scalable.14:35 - #7 - J.C.R. LickliderThe visionary behind ARPANET, whose ideas sparked the creation of the Internet.19:16 - #6 - Vannevar BushProposed the concept of the “Memex,” an early vision for hyperlinked information storage.22:37 - #5 - Marvin MinskyThe co-founder of MIT’s AI Lab and pioneer of machine learning and robotics.26:22 - #4 - John McCarthyFather of Artificial Intelligence and creator of the Lisp programming language.28:54 - #3 - John von NeumannArchitect of modern computing; his designs are still used in almost all computer architectures.34:01 - #2 - Edsger W. DijkstraRevolutionized software engineering with algorithms that are still foundational today.37:07 - #1 - Dennis RitchieCo-creator of Unix and the C programming language—technologies that are the bedrock of modern OSes.44:02 - Wrap Up⸻Call to Action:Did we miss someone from our list? Send us your thoughts at feedback@itsparccast.com or tweet us @itsparccast on X! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications—it really helps the channel grow. Leave a comment with your guess for our next Top 10!Get ready for more deep dives into IT history, tech failures, and game-changing innovations in future episodes of IT SPARC Cast - Top Ten.

In Episode 35 of IT SPARC Cast, John and Lou take you through Cisco’s bold bet on quantum networking and its implications for encryption and data privacy. OpenAI shakes things up with new leadership and acquisitions, while Disney’s massive Slack data leak ends with a hacker caught and charged. In our new Coffee Break segment, the impossible might finally be happening: Half-Life 3. In the CVE of the Week, Lou exposes malware hiding in fake Discord PyPI packages, demonstrating the risks of typo-squatting in open-source downloads. We wrap up with your questions, diving into Ultra Ethernet Protocol and its impact on AI workloads.00:00 - IntroNews Bytes01:02 - Cisco’s Quantum Bet • Cisco announces a bold move into quantum computing, with plans for a quantum network entanglement chip. • The chip aims to link small quantum machines into one cohesive “quantum mainframe.” • Cisco plans to build a Quantum Internet Lab in Santa Monica focused on scalable quantum internet. • Concerns around quantum encryption and its potential to shatter current security protocols. • https://www.securityweek.com/ciscos-quantum-bet-linking-small-machines-into-one-giant-quantum-computer/ 07:10 - OpenAI News 3-fer • OpenAI announces a strategic reorganization: Sam Altman remains CEO, with Fidji Simo (ex-Instacart) joining as CEO of Applications. • OpenAI’s nonprofit division retains control, signaling a focus on safety amidst growth. • Acquisition of Windsurf, an AI-focused IDE, to integrate with OpenAI tools. • https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/05/openai-reverses-course-says-its-nonprofit-will-remain-in-control-of-its-business-operations/  • https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-agrees-buy-windsurf-about-3-billion-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-05-06/ 17:49 - Disney Hacker Identified and Charged • Disney’s massive 1.1 TB Slack data leak traced back to hacker Ryan Michael Kramer. • Posed as hacktivist group Nullbridge to extort Disney employees. • FBI is handling the case, with Kramer facing federal charges. • https://www.securityweek.com/man-admits-hacking-disney-and-leaking-data-disguised-as-hacktivist/ Coffee Break21:29 - Half-Life 3 Might Actually Happen • Valve insider Tyler McVicker reveals that Half-Life 3 is in a playable state and could release in 2025. • Speculation that it will run on the Source 2 engine and might launch alongside Steam Deck 2. • John and Lou dive into the nostalgia of the Half-Life series and the hype around its long-awaited return. • https://www.engadget.com/gaming/half-life-3-is-reportedly-playable-in-its-entirety-and-could-be-announced-this-year-183030499.html CVE of the Week27:41 - Malware Found in Fake Discord PyPI Packages • Researchers uncover malware hidden in fake Discord PyPI packages named discord.py.debug. • Over 11,000 downloads of the malicious package, which secretly opens backdoors for remote access. • Discussion on the dangers of typo-squatting and the importance of verifying package authenticity. • Lou shares insights on the need for entropy in network traffic to prevent easy exploitation. • https://thehackernews.com/2025/05/researchers-uncover-malware-in-fake.html Wrap Up34:48 - Mail Bag • Listener Jeff asks about the Ultra Ethernet Protocol, designed for AI and high-performance compute workloads. • Lou and John discuss CXL (Compute Express Link) and its potential to revolutionize data center architecture. • https://ultraethernet.org 39:09 - Wrap Up • Final thoughts and a call to action to reach out with feedback and episode suggestions.