Security Clearance Insecurity

Security clearance due process issues and the twisty intersection of employment decisions and security clearance eligibility isn't a new topic. A new book shines the spotlight on one individual's issues with the clearance process, and potential issues with how security offices address employment issues. Mark Moyar, author and former political appointee, currently serving as the as the William P. H...

The federal hiring process can be discouraging for all parties. Applicants often struggle with the black hole and long delays. Hiring managers have to deal with a host of regulatory and policy requirements that affect the hiring process. Katherine Kuzminski, Deputy Director of Studies and Program Director, Military, Veterans & Society at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), joins the...

If the thought of a polygraph gives you sweaty palms you're not alone. The polygraph is known to be bunk science, but that hasn't stopped it as being a part of the Intelligence Community's employment process . The reason isn't the science - it's because the test is successful in getting individuals to reveal previously undisclosed information. Lindy Kyzer and Jill Hamilton with ClearanceJobs discu...

Recruiting and talent management in the federal government space remains a hot topic. Fortunately, a number of organizations are working alongside the federal government to enhance and improve the onboarding process and overall workplace culture. Michelle Amante, vice president, federal workforce solutions at Partnership for Public Service joins the podcast to share more about the many things her...

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) implementation and oversight is barreling toward government agencies and contractors alike. CUI aims to help companies better protect the numerous information that may be sensitive, but not classified. Victoria Pillitteri, manager of the security engineering and risk management group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) joins the sh...

The national security workforce needs to onboard the next generation of security talent, but career pathways in the national security space aren't always linear, and you don't always find a clear path in a college career guide. Janet Nalls, director and chief of staff at Netcentrics joins the podcast to discuss national security and how she transitioned from an intelligence career supporting intel...

This weekend the intelligence community is celebrating one of its highlight events of the year, the Intelligence and National Security Alliance’s William Oliver Baker Dinner. The event is a great engagement between current and former intelligence and national security community, and each year INSA recognizes the remarkable contributions of some of our nations incredible leaders. This year’s Willia...

Security threats are growing, and there is high demand for security professionals to work across the spectrum of security functions, from physical and personnel security to cybersecurity. Professional associations are a critical part of attracting and training the next generation of talent. NCMS is a non-profit professional security society, and they're gearing up for their annual seminar taking p...

Women have played a central role in the intelligence community since it's foundation, but for a long time those stories were untold, and hidden by more than just a shadow of secrecy and security policy. In her recent book, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, Liza Mundy follows the stories of several women who joined the CIA at critical inflection points, and the roles they play...

Your favorite national security pop culture talk is back with Eric Pecinovsky, vice president of marketing at ClearanceJobs and resident documentary expert. He discusses the 2017 documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, now streaming on Netflix. While best known as a Hollywood starlet, she should be most remembered for her significant technical and scientific achievements. Lamarr coinvented a...

National security compensation is increasing, according to the results of the 2024 Security Clearance Compensation Report. ClearanceJobs senior editor Jill Hamilton joins the show to discuss the survey and the current trends in cleared compensation. Download the report here . In the second half of the show, ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and Sean Bigley discuss the finer points of what can happen when...

Supply chain security is a term that is often discussed but rarely understood. Many definitions of supply chain are still centered on a logistics and physical infrastructure focused definition. Theresa Campobasso, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Exiger Government Solutions, joins Security Clearance Insecurity to talk about the 21st century supply chain. She shares more about how succe...

As we gear up for another election cycle, the 'deep state divide' remains a divisive topic, and disinformation continues to threaten the spread of accurate information about issues at home and abroad. For women in national security, in particular, there are increased risks for being a public facing voice. Nina Jankowicz, disinformation expert and author of the book 'How to Be a Woman Online' joins...

Selling and delivering solutions to the federal government takes a different approach than the typical sales cycle. Commercial sector companies sometimes find success in bringing a product or solution to the federal government, but then struggle to grow their businesses and get that critical next contract. Kristin Sargent founded Sargent Initiatives to help companies execute for defense customers....

The security clearance is by nature intrusive - and dredges up a number of details that would never see the light of day in a traditional employment process. How can the government work to ensure greater equity and inclusion in light of the potential for bias inherent in personnel vetting? A recent report released by RAND looks into the potential for bias and inequity in the clearance process. Sin...

The security clearance process has been on and off the Government Accountability Office (GAO) high risk list for several years. The GAO high risk list flags programs 'vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, or in need of transformation.' Despite the government's Trusted Workforce 2.0 effort, the GAO continues to flag security clearance reform progress including topics like the Nationa...

Punk and innovation - a match made in the mosh pit? Dan Ward, a retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and author of the recently released Punk: Prompts and Provocations for Authentic Innovations discusses the book and why a little bit of punk may be just the unexpected angle your problem needs. In Ward's extensive career as a program manager and innovator, he's seen the benefit of looking at com...

Operating under Continuing Resolutions is no longer the exception - it's the norm. But what happens to innovation in the defense industry when the budget process becomes an annual race to the fiscal cliff? Jane Lee, Chief Government Relations Officer at Rebellion Defense discusses how the current government budget process affects defense contracting. She also addresses innovative approaches to mak...

While it's easier to see women at work across national security, the overall numbers still point toward a community that struggles to both attract and advance women in critical national security roles. #NatSecGirlSquad is a professional development community dedicated to supporting women in the national security space. #NatSecGirlSquad and Unicorn Strategies founder Maggie Feldman Piltch discussed...

The security clearance marketplace continues to grow more challenging for recruiters and hiring managers. Unfortunately, 2024 looks to be more of the same, with heavy competition for cleared candidates and national security professionals. Evan Lesser, founder and president of ClearanceJobs.com, talks about what companies and federal agencies can expect from the cleared community in 2024, how they...

Who are the 'customers' who are a part of the security clearance process? And does the government consider the stakeholders involved in the security clearance process in a way that could improve the security vetting enterprise? A recent report from the RAND Corporation dives into the candidate experience journey and how it applies to personnel vetting. David Stebbins, political scientist and Rich...

Ana Montes spied on behalf of communist Cuba for 17 years. A new book by former FBI agent Peter Lapp discusses how Montes was able to carry out as a dangerous insider for nearly two decades, and his own career journey with the FBI. In our interview, we discuss how the book outlines loyalties "from both sides of the equation," and what took one person down a path to protecting and defending America...

When you come across companies supporting the defense and intelligence community and doing it with a focus on innovation and company culture - you take notice. ClearanceJobs chats with Michaela Flatau, chief unicorn collector (i.e. 'putting the human back in human resources') for Defense Unicorns. Defense Unicorns is an innovative software development/delivery company, competing for the best tech...

Healthcare is one of the most at risk elements of critical infrastructure. Brian Mazanec, Deputy Director, Office of Preparedness in the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, chats with ClearanceJobs about how the Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) sectors are responding to the rising risks. He shares why healthcare professionals need to care about cybersecurity, the cascading ri...

Eric Pecinovsky, VP of marketing at ClearanceJobs.com is back on the podcast to discuss our upcoming Connect 2023. This is the third year for bringing together national security hiring professionals for the only event of its kind. Speakers this year include Tracy Walder, Sue Gordon, DCSA, ODNI, and a unique blend of government contractors and government agencies to discuss key issues affecting the...