Data Driven

In this episode of Data Driven, Frank La Vigne talks with Richard Luna, CEO of Protected Harbor, about why security built around keeping attackers outside a network leaves organizations exposed once someone gets in. Richard explains his concern that AI-driven attacks will probe multiple weaknesses at once, and makes the case for layered defenses, network segmentation, and infrastructure designed around the applications it supports.
The conversation moves from security architecture to the people and processes that make systems dependable. Richard shares how his team plans for failures, works across technical silos, and tests vendor claims before putting equipment into production. Frank and Richard also explore the promise of AI-assisted coding, the experience junior developers need to build, and the expensive gap between a successful demo and software that holds up under real demand.
From a storage cluster that failed on its second day of testing to a deployment that collapsed under load, the episode offers practical lessons in building durable systems and teams that take responsibility for them.
Key Takeaways
• Design beyond the perimeter. Richard argues for barriers and tripwires inside the environment, with attention to how data moves between systems.
• Build around application needs. Storage performance, traffic separation, redundancy, and failure recovery should reflect the actual workload.
• Break down technical silos. Developers and infrastructure teams need each other’s knowledge to diagnose problems and implement security effectively.
• Keep human judgment in AI-assisted development. Generated code and automated tests still need experienced review and realistic load testing.
• Make accountability specific. Divide responsibilities clearly, give engineers a path to ask for help, and involve clients when they own a blocker.
• Test before trusting. Vendor assurances and a working demo do not establish how a system will behave in production.

About the Guest
Richard Luna is the CEO of Protected Harbor. His career has spanned software development, managed services, hosting, DevOps, and SaaS infrastructure engineering. In this conversation, he brings that experience to the design, operation, and security of systems that businesses depend on.

Links and Resources
Richard on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardluna/
Protected Harbor:https://www.protectedharbor.com/
Watch on YouTube -https://youtu.be/y6ZHVmJtf9o

Time Stamps
00:00 Why the 1980s security model falls short
01:21 Introducing Richard Luna
02:32 What SaaS infrastructure engineering means
03:53 AI threats, perimeter defenses, and information silos
05:44 Building barriers and tripwires
07:17 Application-aware infrastructure
10:27 Phased change and lessons from Toyota
11:22 Rebuilding infrastructure around the workload
13:37 Collaboration, zero trust, and asking for help
15:35 Data flow, security, and finding the root cause
18:19 Listening to clients and earning long-term trust
20:08 AI-assisted coding and the next generation of developers
21:17 Why generated tests are not enough
25:17 DevOps experience and “works on my machine”
26:58 Learning from the loss of a customer
29:02 Dividing responsibilities without losing accountability
31:56 Oversight meetings that remove obstacles
33:34 Empowering clients and engineers
35:42 Respect, culture, and learning across teams
38:06 Building a business by solving clients’ problems
42:01 Planning for failure instead of fighting fires
43:01 Stress-testing enterprise storage
47:01 A deployment failure and the cost of skipping tests
48:32 Cloud scaling and runaway costs
49:48 Closing thoughts and connecting with Richard

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In this episode of Data Driven, host Frank La Vigne sits down with Andy Pruett, co-founder and CEO of Lumiscent, to explore a topic often overlooked in the industrial sector: it’s not a data problem—it’s a decision problem.
Andy explains how industrial companies are drowning in sensor data, but struggle to transform that information into actionable decisions that minimize physical asset risk. The conversation dives into how AI-powered decision intelligence can illuminate hidden vulnerabilities, contextualize risk in real-time, and empower industries like mining, manufacturing, and energy to make smarter, faster calls on the shop floor.
From the challenges of aging infrastructure to the growing retirement wave of experienced engineers, this episode reveals how the right blend of technology and expertise is shaping a new era of operational resilience and risk management.
Links
Andy on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/andypruett/
Watch on YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzpVpgoO5KA
Lumicent -https://www.lumicent.com/
Blog Post -https://www.franksworld.com/2026/09/28/navigating-the-data-tsunami-from-iot-sensors-to-smarter-decisions-in-industrial-operations/

Time Stamps
00:00 Focusing on asset risk management
03:56 Managing food plant risks
07:48 Managing information in heavy industries
11:45 Workforce challenges and knowledge loss
16:00 Transforming data into decisions
18:46 Predictive maintenance challenges in plants
22:14 Adoption urgency and house analogy
27:32 Collaborating with Risk Engineers
29:16 Understanding insurance risk strategies
32:31 Insurance industry changes and parametrics
36:46 Managing risk in operations
40:03 Challenges with predictive analytics in cars
43:02 Getting into engineering from Alaska
45:37 Handling a power outage crisis
49:01 Wrapping up and contact info

Welcome back to "Data Driven," the podcast where we explore the cutting edge of data science, AI, and the rapidly evolving world of data governance.
In this episode, we sit down with Richa Kaul, founder and CEO of Complyance, an AI-driven platform transforming governance, risk, and compliance for enterprises. Drawing on her experience as a data privacy enthusiast and leader in the compliance space, Richa Kaul dives into the pressing challenges of securing sensitive data, the complexities of global compliance frameworks, and how AI both complicates and protects our interconnected world.
We discuss the pivotal role of the Chief Information Security Officer, the importance of proactive, layered security measures, and why compliance is rapidly gaining attention—not just as a regulatory checkbox, but as a central business strategy. With practical advice for both enterprises and individuals on maintaining digital privacy and security, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating today’s high-stakes data landscape.
Links
Richa on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-kaul/
Complyance Web site -https://www.complyance.com/
Complyance on LinkedIn -https://linkedin.com/company/complyancehq/
Watch on YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFsUcm5u4MY

Timestamped overview

00:00 Privacy and security frameworks overview
03:54 Impact of Equifax data breach
06:21 Focusing on data security
09:58 Managing complex enterprise security controls
15:53 Focus on AI and information security
18:37 Learning from Fire Safety Education
20:47 Phone security in modern cyber warfare
24:48 Concerns about IoT device security
29:10 Protecting Privacy from Algorithms
30:44 Security and privacy concerns
35:23 GTA's social commentary on privacy
39:11 AI's Role in Cybersecurity Awareness
41:03 Global connectivity and surveillance issues
44:47 Ending on a positive note

Welcome back to Data Driven, the podcast where we dive deep into the evolving worlds of data science, business intelligence, and artificial intelligence. In this episode, host Frank La Vigne sits down with Rob Collie, CEO of P3 Adaptive and a former Microsoft engineer, to explore the remarkable journey from Excel’s foundational role in data-driven workplaces to the transformative power of Power BI—and now, to the unfolding impact of AI in business.
Rob shares captivating stories from his time on the Excel and Power BI teams at Microsoft, offering insider perspectives on how these tools revolutionized the way organizations work with data. Together, Frank and Rob discuss the critical role of expert stewardship in products like Excel, the complexity hidden beneath familiar interfaces, and the challenges traditional BI faced before the rise of more accessible, user-centric solutions.
The conversation then turns to the cutting edge, unpacking what generative AI and large language models mean for the future of data, and why business intelligence might just be the best starting point for companies aiming to embrace AI. Whether you’re a data engineer, AI enthusiast, or business leader, this episode is packed with insights on how mastering data remains the foundation for all technological progress. Join us as we look backward and forward at what it really means to be data driven.
Links
Rob on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcollie/
Fair Game: Customizing AI to Your Business Is Easier Than You Think -https://link.amazon/B0bgySLKy
Get a free Audiobook on Us -https://www.audible.com/ep/creator?afsrc=1&source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Time Stamps
00:00 Interview with Rob Collie
06:38 Managing Excel's core development team
08:28 Learning Excel's Complexity
12:15 Discovering Power BI at Microsoft
15:12 Understanding and using SSAS MDX formula
20:23 Making Power BI user-friendly
23:29 AI exceeding expectations for crafters
26:21 Founding and evolving P3 company
28:05 AI model advancements and business impact
32:34 LLM memory limitations
35:11 Integrating AI into consulting business
40:21 Challenges with training AI chatbots
41:24 Understanding AI without going deep
46:56 AI improves business intelligence
48:34 AI enhancing business intelligence
51:53 Why LLMs succeed where CPUs fail
54:29 Core skills in tech evolution

Welcome to another episode of Impact Quantum, where we explore the cutting edge of quantum computing and emerging technologies reshaping our world.
Today, co-hosts Frank La Vigne and Candace Gillhoolley sit down with Vivek Raghunathan, co-founder of Xscape Photonics, to delve into the revolutionary intersection of photonics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. From comparing the astounding power efficiency of the human brain to today's AI clusters, to discussing how multicolor lasers could unlock massive advancements in data center performance and sustainability, Vivek shares how his company is tackling the growing power demands of AI by reimagining the future of hardware.
We’ll hear why the traditional focus on faster processors is giving way to a new era where the speed and efficiency of inter-chip communication—powered by light, not electricity—becomes the key to smarter, greener computing.
Tune in as we decode the transformation of data center architecture, explore the practical and philosophical implications of merging photonics and electronics, and peek into how today’s innovations lay the foundation for tomorrow’s quantum breakthroughs.
Whether you’re a seasoned technologist or just quantum-curious, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Links
Vivek on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-raghunathan-8228913a/
XScape Photonics -https://www.xscapephotonics.com/
Watch on YouTube -https://youtu.be/NcXWZyPuyqE

Time Stamps
00:00 Discussing Montreal weather transition
05:04 AI efficiency and power use
10:14 Advancing data transfer on copper wires
11:31 Copper vs. fiber optics limits
17:13 Optical cables replacing copper wires
20:36 Quantum computing and comb lasers
24:32 Integrating electronics and photonics
27:40 AI efficiency and energy consumption
31:54 Photonics on 12-inch wafers
33:39 Analog computation basics
37:50 Transition to photonic computing
42:24 Data center strategy discussions
45:32 NVIDIA's holistic system design approach
47:05 High-bandwidth cluster discussion
51:31 Reducing data center power consumption
53:42 Candace and Frank on podcasts