Masters of Data

On this episode of Masters of Data, we revisit the predictions Adam White, Zoe Hawkins, and David Girvin made at the end of last year, checking our own scorecard halfway through 2026. The hits: agents running amok and deleting databases, MCP becoming the backbone for tracking what agents actually do, growing security gaps around personal data, and a collective rejection of low-quality AI content....

SOC analyst burnout gets talked about constantly, but the data angle doesn't get enough credit. In this episode, Adam White, Zoe Hawkins, and David Girvin dig into how messy, incomplete, or untrustworthy data leaves security teams grinding away on the wrong things, chasing CVEs that will never be exploited while the real threats walk right through the front door. They cover vulnerability managemen...

We've all been there: you buy the SIEM, check the box, and wonder six months later why nothing's actually working. In this episode, Adam White, Zoe Hawkins, and David Girvin dig into what it really takes to get a SIEM running properly, from threat modeling your business objectives first to the iterative tuning work that never quite ends. We also get into the AI hype cycle in security, why probabil...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we dive into metacognition (thinking about thinking) and why knowing how your own brain works makes you a better AI user. We explore how different prompting styles, from engineering every detail to anticipating every failure mode, reflect how we each think, and why giving AI the right context is the difference between a brilliant result and a confident hallucina...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we tackle one of tech's buzziest debates: vibe coding versus production-ready software. We break down where AI-assisted "just make it work" coding genuinely shines (think POCs, prototypes, and getting stakeholder buy-in fast) and where it falls dangerously short when someone tries to ship it to ten thousand enterprise users. We also dig into David's agentic engi...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we untangle the often-confused cousins of data sovereignty and data residency, because where your data lives and who actually controls it are two very different conversations. We dig into the real-world headaches facing multinational companies, from incident response teams locked out of sovereign data zones to the bureaucratic gymnastics that ensue when complian...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we dig into why your data layer is the unsung hero of AI success and what happens when you ignore it. From the chaos of juggling data lakes and warehouses to the rise of MCP protocols replacing federated search, we break down how the architecture beneath your AI directly shapes what it can and cannot do well. We also get candid about the real risks of letting AI...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we get into the messier side of AI adoption, tackling questions like who actually owns the output when AI gets it wrong, and whether chasing efficiency is making us forget what it means to be human in the first place. We discuss tech CEOs proudly announcing they no longer think for themselves and debate whether AI is quietly eroding our critical thinking skills....

On this episode of Masters of Data, we brought back GRC expert Cassandra Mooseburger to pull back the curtain on audits, and spoiler: it is far less scary than the IRS knocking on your door. We break down what actually separates a certification from an attestation from a report, how to run a prep process that does not send your engineering team running for the hills, and why the social capital you...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we sat down with Steven Manley, CTO of Druva, to get the unfiltered truth about ransomware: it's not a matter of if you'll be breached, but when, and bad actors are now launching hundreds of attacks at a surprisingly low cost. We dig into why attackers lurk undetected for 200-plus days, how AI is being weaponized for everything from eerily convincing voice phish...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we buckle up and explore the staggering technological complexity behind the airline industry, from managing IoT devices across global fleets to navigating the data chaos of mergers and acquisitions. We dig into the delicate balance airlines strike between aging legacy systems and risky upgrades, and why getting that wrong isn't just costly but potentially catast...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we explore how banks and fintech companies have traded friendly neighborhood tellers for data-driven, always-on digital fortresses. We unpack everything from sophisticated phishing schemes and viral TikTok check fraud trends to the AI-powered tools that now handle the fraud detection Shirley the bank teller used to manage through sheer familiarity. We make the c...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we dig into the cybersecurity nightmare that is modern healthcare IT, from ransomware attacks shutting down entire hospitals to IoT medical devices running software older than some of our passwords. We explore why healthcare organizations make such attractive targets for cybercriminals, and why the combination of life-or-death stakes, skeleton-crew security team...

As we gear up for RSA Conference, we give viewers a sneak peek at Sumo Logic's SOC analyst agent, which turns a 45-minute analyst investigation into a five-minute AI-powered sprint. We walk through live demos showing how the agent automatically generates queries, maps threats to MITRE ATT&CK, and hands you recommended remediation actions all without making you switch tabs or tools. We also sho...

In this episode, we dive into the wild world of 'bursty' businesses (yes, we said it) and the security headaches that come with unpredictable traffic spikes, whether you're bracing for tax season, Black Friday, or a surprise sardine TikTok going viral. We unpack the complex domino effect of onboarding and offboarding seasonal workers at scale, where handing out 'keys' now means managing thousands...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we tackle security for growing enterprises: past small business status but not quite full-scale yet. The challenge? Building effective programs with limited resources while balancing people, processes, and tools. We cover essentials like EDR, SIEM, SSO, identity management, and cloud security. The catch? Buying tools means nothing without proper implementation,...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we sit down with Beth Glowacki to explore Sumo Logic's app catalog and how it actually works in practice. Apps serve as your launch pad: pre-built integrations, dashboards, and automated alerts for various data sources right out of the box. We dig into how apps stack together for comprehensive monitoring, like pairing CloudTrail apps for both operational health...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we tackle breaking into cybersecurity. David shares his journey from welder to AppSec manager, proving that career pivots are tough but doable. We explore entry points like SOC analyst, GRC, and application security roles, noting that penetration testing gigs are fiercely competitive. AI is reshaping the landscape, making technical skills more accessible while a...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we're joined by Eric Avery, Sumo Logic's head of infrastructure and data, to break down data pipeline management: efficiently moving massive data volumes from multiple sources to one usable location. We explore how pipelines fuel analytics and AI, the role of data transformation, and where OpenTelemetry fits in. Eric shares insights from processing 3.5 exabytes...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we break down incident response from detection through containment, forensics, recovery, and postmortem. The foundation? Comprehensive logging. Without it, you're blind. We explore building cross-functional teams and a blame-free culture where people actually report issues. Communication is key: what you tell engineering isn't what you tell executives or custome...

On this episode of Masters of Data, we sit down with Cassandra Mooseberger, Manager of Security Compliance at Sumo Logic, to unpack governance, risk, and compliance (GRC). Cass breaks down her three-pillar framework: governance and compliance, risk management, and trust. She reveals how GRC teams can flip from cost center to sales enabler through trust pages, automated questionnaires, and proactiv...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we tackle why cybersecurity professionals burn out, and it's not just long hours. We explore how repetitive tasks, limited growth, and work that feels invisible drain security teams who face constant vigilance with few wins and no finish line. We discuss how high-stakes environments and rigid SLAs prevent real breaks, then share solutions: celebrate small victor...