Find Flow

Sean McDermott

Forward-facing IT organizations need more. Workflows that work. Integrations that align effortlessly. Data that delivers in real-time. Learn how IT Operations leaders who live in the belly of the beast make sense of IT service management, IT operations management, and AIOps, leveraging transformational technologies like ServiceNow, Splunk, Dynatrace, and BigPanda. The Find Flow Podcast is hosted by Sean McDermott, a member of the Forbes Tech Council and 35-year veteran of the IT operations space. read less
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Episodes

Balancing Corporate Efficiency and Security with Privacy in an AI and Security Environment with Scott Sereboff of Deeping Source
5d ago
Balancing Corporate Efficiency and Security with Privacy in an AI and Security Environment with Scott Sereboff of Deeping Source
Scott Sereboff is a veteran in the tech industry, with over 35 years of experience in building backend telecom networks, hyper-converged infrastructure, and the security industry. He is currently the General Manager of Deeping Source, a video surveillance and data anonymization company that utilizes AI. Scott is an advocate for AI and privacy, having developed a strong set of beliefs about the potential benefits and risks of AI. He is also the host of his own podcast, "The Privacy of Me," where he discusses topics related to privacy and technology. Scott holds a degree from the University of Texas and is based in Austin. In this episode of the Find Flow podcast, host Sean McDermott talks with Scott Sereboff about the applications of AI in the IT world and the potential unintended consequences that come with it. They discuss the use of AI in service reliability, including AIOps and SecOps, and how it can supplement human work. They also touch on the topic of AI replacing jobs and the potential for AI to replicate art. Finally, they delve into the issue of privacy in the age of AI, using the example of the White Castle lawsuit to highlight the need for caution. "AI is a tool that reflects how it was built. And so, if you get a system that is built to do good things, then you have a good AI." ~ Scott Sereboff In Today’s Episode: AI is a tool that can reflect the intentions behind its creation. When built to do good things, AI can help supplement human work and provide valuable insights for predictive analytics. The promise of AI in the IT world is its ability to handle the things we are inherently bad at, such as monitoring large networks and spotting patterns in data. While some jobs may be replaced or changed by AI, there is still a need for human emotion in fields such as art and music. The unintended consequences of AI can be seen in the White Castle lawsuit, where the collection of employee fingerprints has led to a privacy lawsuit. As AI continues to be integrated into various fields, it is important to consider its potential impact on privacy and take caution in its use. Connect with Scott:LinkedIn Deeping Source The Privacy of Me on YouTube Find Your Flow in IT Operations Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
Navigating CMDB Projects: Lessons Learned from 26 Years in the Field with Charles Semones
Nov 16 2023
Navigating CMDB Projects: Lessons Learned from 26 Years in the Field with Charles Semones
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Governance in the ServiceNow World with Jonathan Alboum
May 18 2023
Governance in the ServiceNow World with Jonathan Alboum
"It's not the technology that's making it hard. It's oftentimes the process for getting those requirements formalized, for getting the work done, for getting the work rolled out. And again, governance is going to speed that along."~Jonathan Alboum Jonathan Alboum is an experienced IT leader with a wealth of knowledge in governance strategy. As a former CIO and current ServiceNow executive, Jonathan understands the importance of effective governance in maximizing the value of technology investments. With a focus on communication, collaboration, and aligning IT with business objectives, he shares valuable insights and practical advice for organizations striving to enhance their governance practices. In this episode, Sean and Jonathan delve into the critical role of governance in IT and explore its impact on technology implementations. They emphasize the need for clear communication and understanding between technical and non-technical stakeholders to bridge the gap and ensure successful outcomes. Jonathan highlights the importance of distinguishing between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow, shedding light on the significance of proper role allocation and demand management. Additionally, they discuss metrics for measuring the effectiveness of governance programs and the value they bring to organizations. "I can tell you that one of the most important traits of a CIO or an IT leader is the ability to speak in common language and be able to explain things in a non-technical way."~Jonathon Alboum Today on Find Flow: The role of product management and its impact on prioritizing features and functionality. Challenges in communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders. The need for liberal arts skills in organizations for effective communication. Differentiating between platform managers and product managers in ServiceNow. The importance of demand management and having a process for handling requirements. Metrics to measure the effectiveness of governance programs. The significance of adoption, training, and support tickets in evaluating success. Balancing the speed of implementation with thorough training and preparation. Resources Mentioned: LinkedIn: Jonathan Alboum - Connect with Jonathan and explore his work at ServiceNow. ServiceNow - Visit the official ServiceNow website to learn more about their platform and solutions. Find Your Flow in IT Operations Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
UpSkilling IT with Eveline Oehrlich of DevOps Institute
May 11 2023
UpSkilling IT with Eveline Oehrlich of DevOps Institute
"Last year, it was human skills [as the top priority], followed by process skills, followed by technical skills. This year it's actually quite different. We have process skills, process framework skills such as DevOps, ITIL, SRE… with technical skills as the second priority, then human skills, then leadership skills." - Eveline Oehrlich Eveline Oehrlich is a researcher and the Chief Research Officer at the DevOps Institute. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Evelyn has dedicated her career to understanding the essential skill domains and helping professionals upskill to remain competitive in today's fast-paced digital world. Eveline is passionate about sharing insights and supporting organizations in adopting the right skills to ensure success in their IT projects. In this episode of the Find Flow podcast, host Sean McDermott and guest Eveline Oehrlich discuss the importance of upskilling in the IT industry. They delve into the details of a recent report by Evelyn's firm, which focuses on the essential skill domains and the top must-have skills within these domains. The report also sheds light on the challenges that organizations face in upskilling their employees. With the current economic landscape, the conversation around upskilling is highly relevant for organizations looking to do more with their existing resources and slow down hiring. "I find it important that people know how and where to upscale to be professionally and humanly ready for the future and for today." - Eveline Oehrlich This Week on Find Flow: Upskilling is crucial for IT professionals to stay competitive in today's rapidly changing digital landscape. The skill domains focused on in the report include process/framework skills, technical skills, human skills, leadership skills, and automation skills. In the recent report, the must-have skills are prioritized as process/framework skills, followed by technical, human, leadership, and automation skills. Challenges around upskilling can be better understood and addressed through in-depth analysis of the must-have skills within each domain. The DevOps Institute is now part of PeopleCert, the organization that owns ITIL and Prince2, enabling a stronger focus on process frameworks and certification. Resources Mentioned: Upskilling Report by the DevOps Institute DevOps Institute PeopleCert ITIL Prince2 Dr. Carol Dweck Find Your Flow in IT Operations Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
An Examination: Integrating AI into Processes and Systems with “The Hawk Enigma” Author JL Hancock
Apr 20 2023
An Examination: Integrating AI into Processes and Systems with “The Hawk Enigma” Author JL Hancock
“AI does not work unless you have access to as much data as possible.” - JL Hancock Jim “JL” Hancock spent 20 years in the military, where he worked as a cryptologist and the senior enlisted advisor over future concepts and innovation for the Navy special operations community. During his service, Jim has learned two languages – Korean and Japanese – conducted hundreds of combat operations with special operations forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines, and became a well-known subject matter expert in unmanned systems, 5G, and Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on his education in national security studies and his experience in the military, Jim is now an author of fiction books that reflect the complexities of the modern world. His latest book, The Hawk Enigma, tells the story of a gifted military technician struggling with the harrowing memories of war and the emptiness of loss who buries himself in his work with a secretive military research operation, later finding himself on the front lines of an AI arms race with the future of freedom at stake. When he’s not writing or promoting his book, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters at their home in California. JL Hancock joins me today to examine the integration of artificial intelligence into systems and processes within organizations. We discuss the challenges of applying AI to the DedSec Ops space and the cultural shifts that are currently taking place regarding the use of artificial intelligence. We discuss why many organizations, including the military, are hesitant about integrating artificial intelligence into their operations and the negative impact this resistance can have on their organization. We also discuss the role that artificial intelligence can play in the cybersecurity space and the benefits and vulnerabilities of combining humans with artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. This week on Find Flow: The challenges of applying AI in DedSec The cultural shifts currently occurring regarding the use of artificial intelligence The pitfalls of change resistance Why are many organizations resistant to integrating artificial intelligence? The role of AI in cybersecurity How A.I. and machine learning can help organizations scale things they’re already doing while continuing to learn from it The benefits and drawbacks of combining artificial intelligence and the human role of cybersecurity Resources Mentioned: Book: Innovate or Die: Innovation and Technology for Special Operations by Dr. Robert Spulak Connect with Jim “JL” Hancock: Jim “JL” Hancock’s Website Book:  The Hawk Enigma Jim “JL” Hancock on Instagram Jim “JL” Hancock on Facebook Jim “JL” Hancock on Twitter Find Your Flow in IT Operations Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders, like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.
Improving Data Security with Terence Bennett of DreamFactory Software
Apr 6 2023
Improving Data Security with Terence Bennett of DreamFactory Software
Terence Bennett is the General Manager of DreamFactory Software, an API Management company. Terence’s career initially began while serving in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Intelligence Officer and Surface Warfare Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his military service, he worked on Google’s Offensive Security RedTeam before leading the operations at Integrate.io and TeamPassword. Terence is a startup advisor and volunteer who is passionate about giving back to his community through public service. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Shields & Stripes, a non-profit organization assisting veterans and first responders experiencing PTSD. He is a member of the Board of Industry Advisors, an Economic Empowerment organization providing guidance and support to Astia and companies within their ecosystem. Terence holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s from the U.S. Naval War College, and an EMBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology. Terence joins me today to discuss the third pillar of service reliability – Security Operations. We discuss what RedTeams are, how they help improve a company’s security operations, and how they help protect private data from unauthorized users and hackers. We discuss what API Management is, how DreamFactory helps improve data security and API management with security controls like user authentication, rate limiting, and robust access controls, and how these security features can protect their user’s data. We also discuss how DreamFactory’s software interacts with legacy applications and why software reliability and user experience is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation and modernization. “We’re not there to find vulnerabilities. RedTeaming is about simulating an actual, real-world threat.”- Terence Bennett This week on Find Flow: Understanding RedTeams in organizations Protecting private information and data by implementing RedTeam strategic exercises What API Management is and how DreamFactory is helping organizations improve their data security Building security controls with user authentication, rate limiting, and robust access controls How DreamFactory’s software interacts with legacy applications The realities of digital transformation and modernization Connect with Terence Bennett: DreamFactory Software DreamFactory Software on LinkedIn DreamFactory Software on YouTube DreamFactory Software on Facebook DreamFactory Software on Twitter Terence Bennett on LinkedIn Find Your Flow in IT Operations Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the Find Flow Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | Amazon Music Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help me reach more IT Operations leaders like you. Join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more exclusive content and information, visit our website. While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your free gift: The 9 Ways to Accelerate Your Service Reliability Strategy.