Masters of Data

On this episode of Masters of Data, we unpack David's new white paper on AI governance for agentic systems. He explains model context protocol (MCP) as "APIs for agents", how AI systems talk and execute tasks. The catch? Autonomous agents are insider threats that move fast and cause serious damage. David introduces the Model Control Plane (MoCop), a twelve-pillar framework designed to prevent your...

On this episode of Masters of Data, Adam sits down with Zoe Hawkins and David Girvin to talk AppSec programs that don't suck. David's hot take from his 1Password and Red Canary days? AppSec is a people problem, not a tooling problem—stop being the person devs dodge at standup. We cover the essentials: build relationships first, threat model based on actual business risk (not your anxiety), and dit...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we're breaking down AWS re:Invent 2025 through David's eyes (and probably a few cups of conference coffee). We dive into the massive crowds, killer customer conversations, and product demos that actually worked, because we're all about building real tech, not smoke-and-mirrors clickbait. David geeks out over Mobot, our AI tool that's making workflows smoother (n...

Not heading to re:Invent this week? Don't worry—we've got you covered. In this episode, we welcome Architect Solutions Engineer, Jake Lee, to preview the exciting new Sumo Logic tools we are showcasing in Vegas. Our new SOC analyst agent acts as an AI partner that instantly assesses incident severity and recommends next steps—no more drowning in alerts. The MCP server breaks down barriers by letti...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we dive into how AI learns, examining both how we teach it and what it derives from human performance, as well as why context plays a crucial role in AI interactions. We break down five key components of AI training and talk about why we should view AI as a tool under human control rather than an autonomous entity. We explore the challenge of maintaining context...

In this episode of Masters of Data, we welcome Melissa Beck, VP of Corporate Marketing at Sumo Logic, to discuss the key differences between analyst reports. We talk about why effective communication with customers matters and how AI is evolving to enhance analyst evaluations. We also examine how analysts provide valuable market insights, acknowledging that subjectivity plays a role in product eva...

In this episode, we run through our beginner's guide to security tools, emphasizing the importance of people, processes, and technology. We chat about the NIST framework as a foundational resource for building security programs, highlighting key steps such as identifying and managing risks. We also discuss basic tools like password managers and multifactor authentication as essential for enhancing...

In this episode, we discuss the critical intersection of security and observability within organizations. We highlight the often contentious relationship between security analysts and SREs, emphasizing the importance of fostering a collaborative culture to effectively address incidents. All teams should focus on solutions rather than blame, as user experience is affected by both security and infra...

In this episode, we welcome Naomi Buckwalter, Sr. Director of Product Security at Contrast Security, to chat about the evolving landscape of security threats and the dual role of AI in both facilitating and combating these challenges. We explore the increasing sophistication of modern phishing attacks and discuss how security teams must rapidly adapt to stay ahead of emerging threats. We debate th...

In this episode, we dive into the murky waters of AI-washing, where companies transform perfectly ordinary software into "revolutionary AI solutions" with little more than creative marketing copy. We'll give you the tools on how to separate genuine AI innovation from elaborate digital smoke and mirrors. We also tackle the very real headache of cramming shiny new AI tools into legacy systems that w...

In this episode of Masters of Data, the hosts delve into the world of AI agents, explaining their functionality and significance. Unlike simple chatbots, agents can make decisions and perform actions, acting as executive assistants to enhance personal productivity. The discussion highlights the importance of security, collaboration, and the need for human oversight in AI development. As the landsc...

In this episode, we explore how AI is transforming security operations centers (SOCs) from basic log-watching teams into sophisticated threat-hunting command centers drowning in data. AI excels at processing security alerts faster than any human, but the challenge lies in balancing our growing dependence on algorithmic assistance with the irreplaceable value of human intuition in outsmarting creat...

Ever tried explaining to a CFO why you need millions for something that might happen? In this episode, we dive into the delicate dance between security teams and finance departments – a partnership that's part tango, part negotiation, and entirely essential. We explore the strategic questions that actually move budget needles: What's our customer risk tolerance? How quickly can we respond when thi...

What happens when artificial intelligence starts eating its own algorithmic tail? In this episode, we dive into the surprisingly real phenomenon of "AI mad cow" where machine learning models begin cannibalizing their own outputs in an endless feedback loop of synthetic content. Join us as we unpack why this isn't just a quirky tech curiosity, but a genuine threat to AI reliability and human trust....

SOAR might sound like a superhero for security teams, but is it actually flying too close to the sun? In this episode, Adam and David unpack why security orchestration, automation, and response have been helpful… but might be headed for retirement, thanks to AI shaking up the game. They also dig into the headaches of managing clunky SOAR systems and why it’s time to rethink workflows and case mana...

Between SIEMs, data lakes, and data lakehouses, the buzzwords alone could fill a glossary. In this episode, Adam and David break down the real differences between data lakes and SIEM systems and why effectively managing all that data is crucial for staying visible and secure. They also dive into how AI is shaking up the game and why picking the right tools can mean the difference between being ove...

Survival tools aren’t just for doomsday preppers; they’re now a must-have for every business trying to stay afloat in the choppy waters of modern security. Ignore them, and you could end up like the 158-year-old shipping company that got sunk by ransomware. In this episode, Adam and David explain why having security tools isn’t enough if they’re misconfigured, why execs need to steer the culture f...

AI policy is not a yes/no question. Security isn’t here to be the morality police. Our job is to enable the business safely. Join security experts Adam White and David Girvin as they chat about the importance of using threat models, a simple framework, and five policy areas you are probably ignoring.

Sumo Logic’s 2025 Security Operations Insights report surveyed 500 IT and security leaders from enterprise organizations to uncover what’s really happening inside today’s SOCs. Join security experts Adam White, David Girvin, and Zoe Hawkins as they break down the top findings from the report and shed light on what every analyst and CISO has felt for years: the system needs a reset. Subscribe to th...

Join security experts Adam White, Chas Clawson, and Seth Williams as they explore how AI-first development is reshaping the way cybersecurity teams build, test, and deploy solutions. Traditional development cycles often leave critical ideas trapped in backlogs, but with Gen-AI and language models, security teams can now move from concept to prototype in hours, not months. Subscribe to the podcast:...