Security Clearance Insecurity

Success in government contracting isn't built overnight—it's earned through consistency, credibility, and continuous growth. In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, Lindy Kyzer sits down with Shana Cosgrove , founder and CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions, to discuss what it takes to build a thriving GovCon business while establishing a trusted reputation in the cle...

What happens when a former true crime reporter, a national security storyteller, and a clearance industry expert sit down to talk espionage, insider threats, terrorism, and the cases that changed history? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , host Lindy Kyzer welcomes Secret Squirrel Files hosts Phoebe Wells and Katie Helbling, ClearanceJobs new true crime, national security podcast....

Facility Security Officers (FSOs) are at the center of some of the biggest changes happening across the national security workforce—and many are feeling the strain. In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs sits down with Ike Rivers, NISPAC representative and advisory board member for TechnoMile Security Information Management, to discuss findings from the lat...

Average compensation for cleared professionals has hit a record high of $126,125 — but what's driving that number, and what does it mean for you? ClearanceJobs Content Director Jill Hamilton breaks down the 2026 Compensation Report, covering why pay jumped 6% year over year, which clearance levels and certifications move the needle most, and how location, education, and experience combine into wha...

In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jacob Centeno, founder of Poor Bear Stories, to explore the power of storytelling within the national security community. From his personal journey as a Gold Star family member to building a mission-driven media company, Centeno shares how authenticity, vulnerability, and lived experience shape the stories he tells....

What makes the GEOINT Symposium 2026 a must-attend event for national security professionals? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jim McCool to break it down. From his experience at organizations like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Air Force, McCool shares why GEOINT remains at the center of mode...

What makes a great boss—and why do so many get it wrong? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , Lindy Kyzer sits down with former CIA Chief of HR Mike Mears to unpack the real driver behind employee engagement, retention, and performance: certainty at the local level . Drawing on decades of experience inside the intelligence community—and insights from his book Certainty —Mears explain...

What happens when the uniform comes off—or your federal service ends—and the identity that once defined you suddenly shifts? In this episode, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Lisa Parmeter, Executive Director of Merging Vets & Players (MVP), to explore the often-overlooked challenges of transition for veterans, active duty service members, and former professional athletes. From the loss of iden...

The security industry is evolving far beyond its traditional image of guards, guns, and gates. Today, it sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, federal policy, and critical infrastructure protection. In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , Lindy Kyzer speaks with Don Erickson , CEO of the Security Industry Association (SIA), about how emerging technologies a...

Career disruption and side hustles are increasingly common — but how do they impact your security clearance? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs sits down with federal career coach and FedUpward host Love Rutledge to discuss navigating unexpected federal career pivots, translating government experience for the private sector, and the emotional impact of...

The federal government can no longer treat artificial intelligence as optional—but what does true AI readiness actually look like? On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jennifer Ewbank , former Deputy Director of the CIA for Digital Innovation, to unpack how AI is reshaping national security missions, workforce expectations, and accountability across go...

The Security Clearance Insecurity podcast welcomes new legal contributors Elisabeth Baker-Pham of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. and John Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC to the mic. In this episode, the panel breaks down how security clearance decisions intersect with employment law, why agencies handle cases differently, and what cleared professionals should know before filling out a...

What does flexibility really mean for the national security workforce—and why does it matter now? In this episode, ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer is joined by workforce strategist and former federal executive Mika Cross for a timely conversation on the future of federal and cleared work. Drawing from congressional testimony, workforce data, and decades of public service experience, they unpack how tel...

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, Lindy Kyzer sits down with Elisabeth Baker Pham, attorney and federal employment expert, to unpack how government shutdowns trigger far more than political drama, they create real financial strain that can jeopardize a cleared worker’s livelihood and their security clearance. Elisabeth breaks down the most immediate financial impacts she sees when...

In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Leslie Reid, Vice President of Defense Programs at iWorks and former senior leader at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), for a deep-dive conversation into the reality and the future of Trusted Workforce 2.0. With more than two decades of leadership experience across the national security and defe...

How does a government shutdown really impact security clearance holders and applicants? In this timely episode, Lindy Kyzer sits down with security clearance and employment law expert John Berry to break down the real-world consequences beyond the headlines. From delayed investigations and paused adjudications to furlough fears and continuous vetting confusion, we explore how shutdowns can ripple...

Federal hiring is never simple. And right now, it’s changing faster than ever. From new incentives for law enforcement and the growing demand for IT talent, to changes like the two-page USAJobs resume rule, the landscape can feel overwhelming. On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer sits down with federal jobs coach Armand Curet to break...

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity join Vice President of Marketing at ClearanceJobs Eric Pecinovsky as we take you inside ClearanceJobs Connect. This event brings together recruiters, government leaders, and industry experts to talk about the most pressing issues facing the cleared community, from hiring trends and workforce challenges to innovation and leadership in national securi...

Jill Hamilton Content Director, ClearanceJobs, joins Lindy Kyzer to discuss a brand new book that discusses the history and the current realities of the Clearance process. In Trust Me: A Guide to Secrets , Lindy Kyzer tackles the wonky security clearance process in one readable resource for applicants and professionals alike. A recent Reddit post from a young applicant illustrates the stakes. The...

Lindy Kyzer and defense innovation leader Noam Oz—former Director for Innovation Operations at NavalX—join the show today for a candid discussion on how to cut through bureaucracy and deliver solutions at the speed of relevance. From outdated procedures to entrenched cultural norms, federal acquisition has long faced challenges in moving innovation from idea to implementation. They’ll explore how...

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity , we sit down with Steven Gaffney, CEO of the Steven Gaffney Company, renowned leadership expert, and author of Unconditional Power . Known for helping Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government agencies, and military organizations build Consistently High Achieving Teams (CHAT®), Steven shares powerful insights on unlocking team potential, fostering can...

In this episode, we sit down with Sabra Horne, a passionate advocate for innovation and intrapreneurship within the federal government. Drawing from her extensive experience working across both government and industry, Sabra unpacks the complex barriers that hold back innovation inside federal agencies, especially when it comes to empowering the people who make change happen. Sabra reminds us that...

Join us for an insider’s look at how Tru-Vetting is reshaping the personnel security landscape. In this episode, we explore the driving force behind Tru-Vetting’s founding, its alignment with Trusted Workforce 2.0, and how its technology eases the burden on overworked FSOs while keeping compliance front and center. Hear firsthand how modern tools can enhance insider threat detection, continuous ve...

The annual NCMS Seminar brings together security professionals from across the nation. In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of the NCMS Annual Seminar—the premier event for industrial security professionals. Joining us are special guests Stevie Dahl and Sarah Turner, members of the NCMS National Board of Directors, who share their insights from this year’s ev...

What’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, we sit down with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss GAO’s recently released report on the federal government’s personnel vetting reform initiative, Trusted Workforce 2.0 . Czyz breaks down the GAO study, its key findings, and what they reveal about...