MMS 2026 at MOA: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

Monday May 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am CDT

Description:
Despite being Microsoft’s most secure desktop operating system, vulnerabilities exist that attackers can exploit. Sami Laiho demonstrates 11 methods for hacking Windows 11, ranging from inherent weaknesses to common misconfigurations. Each demonstration includes practical defenses to fortify your OS. Engage in this demo-focused session, complete with real-life attacks, prevention tactics, and a dose of humor to enhance learning.

What you will learn:

Understand key concepts that lead to Windows vulnerabilities.
Implement immediate security measures to protect your operating system.
Recognize immutable laws of Windows security to bolster defenses.
Receive actionable insights for real-world security challenges.

Speakers

Sami Laiho

Chief Research Officer, MVP, Adminize Oy

Monday May 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am CDT
Minnetonka A

Windows, Security Strategies

10:00am CDT

AI Fundamentals: Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

Monday May 4, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Understand the essentials of AI through clear explanations and live examples that make complex concepts approachable. Explore different types of AI, common terminology, and the underlying technologies driving modern systems. Gain a solid foundation in key topics like machine learning and neural networks, empowering you to engage confidently in AI discussions and deepen your knowledge. This session is perfect for newcomers and those seeking to fill knowledge gaps.

What you will learn:

Gain a clear understanding of key AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and generative models.
Differentiate between narrow AI, general AI, agents, operators, and various common categories.
Receive practical explanations of the technologies powering modern AI, from training data to inference mechanisms.
Build confidence to discuss AI accurately, enabling you to ask deeper questions in future discussions.

Speakers

Nathan Ziehnert

Microsoft MVP, Principal Engineer, 2Pint Software

I dig Windows systems from consumer to enterprise, I'm in an eternal love affair with PowerShell and C#, and I also like to play in Azure. I have a blog... you can read my blog... the link is above (or below? who knows?!). You might also find me doing karaoke whenever the opportunity... Read More →

Donnie Taylor

Microsoft MVP, Architect, GM

Donnie is an IT architect and leader with 25+ years in enterprise systems management and automation. He has led multiple systems-management user groups and delivered 400+ conference sessions and workshops. A eight-time Microsoft MVP (Cloud and Datacenter Management, Azure, PowerShell... Read More →

Monday May 4, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am CDT
Minnetonka A

Other, Artificial Intelligence

1:00pm CDT

Shadow AI: Spot, Stop, Secure

Monday May 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot pose new data exfiltration risks within organizations. Identify common entry points and learn to detect and monitor shadow AI usage in Microsoft 365. Gain insights into how AI alters data access patterns, often bypassing traditional security controls. Implement practical guardrails for responsible AI adoption, ensuring a balance between security, compliance, and productivity.

What you will learn:

Recognize key shadow AI entry points, including ChatGPT and Copilot misuse that present data exfiltration risks in Microsoft 365 environments.
Learn to detect and monitor unsanctioned AI usage leveraging Microsoft 365 and Defender telemetry, even outside approved workflows.
Understand the impact of AI on data access and exfiltration patterns, highlighting gaps in traditional controls for AI-assisted leakage.
Gain practical guardrails for responsible AI adoption, balancing security, compliance, and productivity without hindering legitimate AI use.

Speakers

Rod Trent

Senior Product Manager, Microsoft

Rod Trent is a Senior Product Manager and Security MVP Lead for Microsoft where he focuses on the intersection between Security and AI. In his spare time, Rod writes KQL queries, authors fiction and non-fiction books, tells proud stories about his grandkids, brags about his Six Million... Read More →

Ewelina Paczkowska

Data Security & Governance Lead, Threatscape

MVP, Data Security & Governance Lead, Microsoft 355 Security & Compliance User group co-organiser, creator of welkasworld.com

Monday May 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Minnetonka A

Security, Artificial Intelligence

3:00pm CDT

Azure Arc 101: Mastering Hybrid Management

Monday May 4, 2026 3:00pm - 4:45pm CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Navigating hybrid and multi-cloud environments presents unique challenges for resource management. Azure Arc empowers organizations by extending Azure's management and governance to servers, Kubernetes, and databases, whether on-premises, at the edge, or in other clouds. Discover the fundamentals of Azure Arc and unlock its full potential for consistent, secure resource management.

What you will learn:

Understand how the Azure control plane enables consistent management across on-premises, edge, and multi-cloud environments.
Learn to onboard servers to Azure Arc and assess your environment swiftly with built-in insights and inventory views.
Manage Arc-enabled servers at scale with ease—apply updates, troubleshoot, monitor health, and perform key operations directly from the Azure Portal.
Explore best practices for implementing Azure Arc to enhance visibility and control across diverse infrastructures.

Speakers

Michael Greene

Principal PM Manager, Microsoft

Michael Greene is a Principal Product Development Manager (PDM) Manager at Microsoft leading great people across the teams responsible for PowerShell, Azure CLI, Desired State Configuration, OpenSSH, and System Center. With more than two decades at Microsoft, his work has spanned... Read More →

Mason Torres

Senior Product Manager, Microsoft

Mason Torres is a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft focused on Azure Arc and hybrid server management. He works closely with customers and engineering teams to simplify how organizations manage servers across on-prem and cloud environments.

Hosts

Ameya Vijay Marathe

Monday May 4, 2026 3:00pm - 4:45pm CDT
Minnetonka A

Azure, Hybrid Management

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5:00pm CDT

The Wizards of MMS: Behind the Curtain

Monday May 4, 2026 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT

Minnetonka A

Description:
Discover the inner workings of MMS and its automation framework. Understand how Azure services power the backend processes, including email delivery systems and Discord role assignments. Gain insights into choosing appropriate Azure services for similar tasks and learn to make informed decisions when faced with comparable options. This session demystifies the technical aspects that keep MMS running smoothly.

What you will learn:

Explore how Azure services streamline and automate key MMS functionalities.
Identify which Azure services can be leveraged for tasks similar to those in MMS.
Learn criteria for selecting the right Azure service among similar options.
Gain confidence in utilizing Azure's capabilities for automation and efficiency.

Speakers

Greg Ramsey

Microsoft MVP, Senior Enterprise Architect, MMS Staff

Scott Corio

Microsoft MVP, Enterprise Cloud Architect, MMS Staff

Boasting over 20 years in IT, Scott is not only an esteemed Enterprise Cloud Architect for a major healthcare giant, but he's also a Microsoft MVP in the Azure category. With a diverse portfolio spanning healthcare, non-profit, telecommunications, retail, and travel sectors, his expertise... Read More →

Monday May 4, 2026 5:00pm - 6:45pm CDT
Minnetonka A

Happy Hour, Azure Automation

8:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

1:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

5:00pm CDT

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