Do Human Work

302 Days From Stealth to the Largest Cybersecurity Series A in History

302 days ago we launched from stealth with a belief that sounded almost reckless: that AI agents could do the repetitive security work that burns out defenders and buries teams in false positives.Today we're announcing that 7AI has raised a $130 million Series A led by Index Ventures, with Blackstone joining as a new investor alongside Greylock, CRV, and Spark.To mark this milestone, we recorded a special episode of the DO HUMAN WORK podcast with Lior Div (CEO & Co-Founder) and Yonatan Striem Amit (CTO & Co-Founder). In this episode, they share what this announcement truly means, not just for 7AI, but for customers and for security teams everywhere.
Impactful Moments:00:00 – Introduction01:00 – 7AI secures $130 million Series A02:30 – The impact of investor belief03:00 – Industry-first: AI's reliability in cybersecurity05:00 – Trusting AI for consistent outcomes07:00 – What is the Plaid Model?09:30 – Fighting AI threats with AI solutions11:00 – Advancing security from human work to AI-driven operations14:00 – Future-proofing with federated data16:00 – Elevating security teams with AI-driven investigations
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com
 

Cyber Leadership without the Ego featuring Olivia Phillips

Most cybersecurity conversations obsess over tools, threats, and tech. But what if the real evolution is happening in the human layer, a shift most in the industry aren’t used to seeing?
In this episode, BISO and industry voice Olivia Phillips join Nate and Lior to redefine what effective security leadership looks like in the age of AI. Olivia shares insights from behavioral science, organizational psychology, and decades of cyber experience, revealing why influence without authority, real transparency, and emotional intelligence are now core cybersecurity capabilities. She also discusses the future impact of quantum, the shift toward value-driven security investments, and why trust is earned, not given.
Impactful Moments:00:00 — Introduction01:00 — What is a BISO03:00 — AI, quantum, and the next era05:30 — Building influence without authority09:00 — Security ROI: “Show me the value”11:00 — Ego, communication, and human dynamics14:00 — Trust: hard to earn, easy to lose17:00 — How real AI adoption happens22:00 — If Olivia got 25% of her time back29:00 — Transparency, feedback, and leadership growth34:00 — Chaos, creativity, and the “cyber misfit” mindset
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

Fight Fire With Fire: Using AI to Outpace Attackers featuring Ron Eddings

How is AI reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, and what does this mean for the future of cyber professionals? In this episode, Nate Burke and Lior Div sit down with Ron Eddings, a gen AI security researcher and co-founder and CEO of Hacker Valley Media, to explore these pressing questions. Ron discusses his journey from a traditional cybersecurity role to becoming a thought leader and content creator focused on the confluence of humanity and technology. The conversation delves into Ron’s belief that AI will one day replace many cybersecurity roles, but not without creating opportunities for new, more strategic positions. They also explore the notion of AI agents, multi-agents, and the potential magic of a model context protocol.
Throughout the episode, Ron offers insights into how AI can eliminate repetitive, non-human tasks, freeing up time for creativity and strategic thinking. He elaborates on his contrarian belief in the capacity of AI to eventually overhaul cybersecurity jobs, for the better. Together, the hosts and Ron reflect on how the integration of AI in cybersecurity will redefine the way we talk, train, and work in this field.
Impactful Moments:00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Ron’s mission in cybersecurity content02:00 – From mental athlete to thought leader03:00 – Creating a platform, not just a podcast07:00 – AI’s impact on Tier One analysts10:00 – AI agents explained through a personal story12:00 – The evolution to multi-agent systems15:00 – Real-time data challenges in AI development24:00 – Providing exceptional value in the experience age25:00 – Contemplating the future: AI to replace cybersecurity jobs
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

Building Trust in AI: Governance that Empowers featuring Dirce Hernandez

In this episode of Do Human Work, Nate Burke and Lior Div sit down with Dirce Hernandez, Sr. Cybersecurity GRC Manager and adjunct professor, to demystify AI governance beyond the buzzwords. From defining governance in plain language to setting practical guardrails like policies, steering groups, and human-in-the-loop reviews, Dirce shares how organizations can innovate without risking shadow AI, data leakage, or checkbox compliance.
He also digs into higher ed’s adoption curve, how explainability is becoming non-negotiable with regulators, and why leadership buy-in beats tool sprawl. Plus: actionable career advice for students and pros alike, evolving certifications (CCSK and beyond), and how AI can supercharge upskilling paths without replacing human judgment.
Impactful Moments
00:00 – Defining real AI governance02:15 – Why tech alone can’t solve it05:30 – Guardrails begin with clear policy07:05 – The role of human-in-the-loop09:40 – Explainability meets regulation12:50 – Leadership buy-in before implementation15:10 – Building trust beyond checkbox compliance18:00 – Mentoring to close the talent gap19:20 – AI accelerating upskilling in cybersecurity26:10 – Certifications and GRC evolve for the AI era
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com
 

People-Led, AI-Driven: When Humans Lead, Tech Follows featuring Wayman Cummings

In this episode of Do Human Work, Nate Burke and Lior Div welcome Wayman Cummings, the Chief Information Security Officer at Ochsner Health Systems, to discuss the revolutionary role of AI in cybersecurity. From pioneering the use of robots at the Super Bowl to insights on mentoring diverse teams, Wayman shares his vision for AI as an enabler of human potential. The episode explores how he integrates AI into cybersecurity practices to empower defenders and why he believes in choosing partners over vendors for collaborative success.
Wayman also provides a unique perspective on hiring practices that could transform cybersecurity teams, focusing on unconventional backgrounds and innate problem-solving abilities rather than traditional experience. As AI continues to reshape industries, Wayman envisions a future where technology works hand-in-hand with human ingenuity, creating powerful synergies and new opportunities for growth.
 
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Augmented intelligence at the Super Bowl02:45 – AI in cybersecurity threats and defense05:55 – Partnership over vendors in tech08:10 – Unconventional hiring practices10:30 – Applying unique analyst skills12:45 – AI's role in understanding threats18:05 – Predictive analysis using AI22:30 – Unreasonable hospitality in healthcare25:00 – The future of AI and human collaboration27:20 – Humility and communication for aspiring CISOs
 
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com
 

Balancing Innovation and Risk with AI featuring Bill Brown

What insights from past IT revolutions should today's CISOs understand, and how can AI transform cybersecurity in healthcare?
Bill Brown, Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Information Officer at Abacus Insights, joins hosts Nate Burke and guest host, Yonatan Striem-Amit, for an engaging discussion on AI's role in securing sensitive healthcare data. Brown shares his journey from IT in the early days to leading security at Abacus Insights, emphasizing the balance between innovation and risk. Discover how AI is reshaping cybersecurity and hear unique insights into transforming traditional roles.
Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction01:00 - Guest introduction: Bill Brown02:30 - Lessons from past IT revolutions03:40 - Bill Brown's career journey05:20 - Challenges in protecting healthcare data07:00 - AI's role in healthcare insights10:30 - Impact of AI on compliance and efficiency15:00 - Balancing security with innovation20:20 - Importance of balancing human work with AI
 
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

AI Before It Was Cool: Law Firm Innovation featuring Jason Thomas

What happens when a law firm becomes an early adopter of AI? Hosts Nate Burke and Lior Div sit down with Jason Thomas, CIO of Cole, Scott & Kissane, Florida’s largest civil defense law firm, to explore how AI is changing up the legal and cybersecurity landscape. From pioneering AI in finance operations nearly a decade ago to empowering teams with cutting-edge automation, Jason shares how his firm challenges the stereotype of law firms as technology laggards.
Recorded live at Black Hat 2025, this conversation covers cultural shifts needed to embrace AI, the importance of reallocating talent rather than replacing it, and why the modern SOC may already be on the path to legacy status. Discover how forward-looking leaders like Jason are redefining human work, keeping teams engaged, and preparing for the AI-driven future of cybersecurity.
Impactful Moments:00:00 – Introduction02:00 – Law firms embracing cutting-edge AI03:15 – Reallocating people to meaningful work04:45 – AI as augmentation, not replacement06:00 – First impressions of 7AI’s potential07:45 – Building a culture of curiosity and trust10:00 – Marketing hype vs. AI reality12:00 – Trust and reputation in cybersecurity13:15 – Why law firms are prime cyber targets15:00 – The “magic wand” time question16:00 – The SOC of today is legacy18:00 – The pace of AI evolution20:00 – From single agents to swarms22:00 – Reinventing help desk and user support24:00 – Correlating alerts like human intuition25:00 – The future is already here
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

Beyond the Status Quo: Innovation as the New Security Mandate featuring Kyle Kurdziolek

What happens when cybersecurity leaders stop just managing risk and start driving innovation? Hosts Nate Burke and Lior Div sit down with Kyle Kurdziolek, VP of Security at BigID, to introduce the bold idea of the Chief Innovation Security Officer. In an era where AI is reshaping both defense strategies and attacker playbooks, Kyle reveals how forward-thinking leaders can harness AI to scale their teams, cut through alert fatigue, and stay ahead of adversaries.
Recorded live at Black Hat, this episode of Do Human Work challenges listeners to rethink the role of AI in security, not as a threat, but as an accelerator. Discover how embracing AI to offload repetitive tasks empowers humans to do what only they can: think critically, solve complex problems, and drive the future of cybersecurity.
 
Impactful Moments:00:00 – Introduction00:45 – The birth of the Chief Innovation Security Officer concept03:00 – Differences between traditional CISOs and AI-driven roles06:15 – The Netflix analogy: evolving security with AI10:37 – Realizing AI's potential in cybersecurity15:30 – Human work vs. machine work: Finding the balance18:25 – Integrating AI to elevate security teams
 
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

Leaning into the Opportunity: The AI Cybersecurity Revolution featuring Michael Baker

How do you secure a company with over 130,000 employees against evolving cyber threats using AI? Michael Baker, Vice President and Global CISO at DXC Technology, joins hosts Nate Burke and Lior Div to explore the future of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in the AI era. In this episode, they cover Michael’s journey into cybersecurity leadership, the evolving role of CISOs, and how AI is reshaping cybersecurity landscapes, driving not only risk management but opportunity in the realm of cyber defense.
Michael shares his insights from decades in cybersecurity, highlighting the critical need to adapt to rapidly changing threats. He emphasizes the importance of being proactive with AI technologies to empower cybersecurity teams and manage risks effectively. Explore how AI can free up valuable time, enabling teams to focus on strategic priorities while addressing the challenges of adversarial AI and keeping pace with advancing threats.
 
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction03:16 - From EY to CISO: Michael's cybersecurity journey05:02 - Reinventing oneself: The CISO's constant challenge09:14 - The fast-approaching adversarial AI threat12:00 - Urgency in evolving cybersecurity practices18:25 - Replacing toil with opportunity: AI's promise19:30 - Upskill and elevate: AI’s transformative role in SOC36:00 - Transforming traditional SOC with Agentic Revolution39:00 - DXC's partnership and AI's real-world application
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com

Leading Security with Time to Think featuring Mignona Coté

Most CISOs are stuck in a cycle of reaction, chasing threats, plugging holes, and hoping to keep up. Mignona Coté is done with that.
In this episode, Nate and Lior travel to Dallas, TX to sit down with Mignona, SVP CISO at Infor. Together, they talk about how AI is shifting the cybersecurity landscape from constant triage to strategic advantage. Mignona shares how she’s seen security evolve across industries like healthcare, finance, and cloud, and why now is the time to lead with creativity, not just compliance. From automating defenses to mentoring the next wave of defenders, she offers a direct view into where cyber goes from here.
 
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction02:21 – Balancing offense and defense with AI04:07 – Not just revenue: using AI to protect customers06:30 – “Now we have thinking time”08:00 – Dreaming beyond reactive security10:30 – What happens when security becomes invisible12:00 – Rethinking real-world problems: whales, turtles, sandcastles14:00 – Her unexpected path to the CSO Hall of Fame24:00 – The truth about breaking into cybersecurity27:15 – Why AI might be the best L1 trainer yet
 
Interested in being a guest or want to recommend someone? Reach out to us at DoHumanWork@7ai.com