Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio

Security Clearance Insecurity

Millions of jobs require a U.S. government security clearance. Getting or keeping one is an anxiety-inducing process shrouded in mystery, and sometimes, urban legend. From drug use and bankruptcy to cryptocurrencies and motorcycle gangs, we unpack all of your top (or most unexpected) security clearance questions. We also talk with some of the leading experts and government officials charged with overseeing the security clearance process and establishing security policies. Security Clearance Insecurity demystifies security clearances, delivers expert insight, and answers the questions you’d nev...

Author

Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio

Category

Government

Podcast website

art19.com

Latest episode

Jun 26, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Yes, Your Employer is Watching You - SCI Episode 18 27.05.2022

A recent New York Times article highlighted in the prevalence of continuous evaluation or employee vetting - and how things like criminal backgroun d checks, credit checks, and public searches were no longer just a part of onboarding - but a way for employers to track insider threats. It's a reality the government has been exploring for some time and has rolled out extensively over the past severa...

Understanding Clearance Appeals and the Differences with the Intelligence Community Clearance Process - SCI Episode 17 17.05.2022

The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals handles a very unique subset of the security clearance process - denials and revocations. Aileen Xenakis-Kozlowski is a former Assistant General Counsel, Washington Headquarters Service, at the U.S. Department of Defense. She currently works as an Associate Counsel at the security clearance law firm Bigley-Ranish. She discussed clearance appeals and gave...

An Update on the State of the Security Clearance Process - SCI Episode 16 03.05.2022

What is the state of the personnel security process and Trusted Workforce 2.0 today? Last week the Performance Accountability Council released its Trusted Workforce 2.0 implementation strategy. The guidance will give a framework for rolling out Trusted Workforce 2.0 reforms across the federal government. ClearanceJobs recently sat down with Charlie Sowell, CEO of SE&M Solutions and no stranger...

How to Get Paid This Year - SCI Episode 15 24.04.2022

What's a security clearance worth ? If you work in national security, it's a question worth asking. ClearanceJobs editor Jill Hamilton talks about the results of the 2 022 Security Clearance Compensation Report , where you can break down salary by clear ance level, government agency, education, and more.  In the second half of the show security clearance attorney Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lin...

Tax Mistakes Clearance Holders Make - SCI Episode 14 04.04.2022

Tax issues can have a major impact on your cleared career. With tax season upon us, many individuals may be wondering what to do if they can't pay their taxes, or how to work with a tax professional to ensure they're doing it correctly. ClearanceJobs chats with Jennifer Jones, owner of J. Jones Financial. Jones is an enrolled agent and military spouse who helps many in the national security workfo...

Security Clearance Career Considerations for Women, Young People - SCI Episode 13 20.03.2022

In recognition of Women's History Month ClearanceJobs chats with Cadienne Naquin Hopkins, a female national security trailblazer who has served in a variety of capacities in national security and helping encourage women to enter into the field. Currently with Altana AI, she's also co-founder of the Command Purpose Foundation, executive director of the Amazing Women of the Intelligence Community an...

Getting Your Finances in Check and Checking in on ODNI's Drug Policy - SCI Episode 12 07.03.2022

In this week's episode we chat with Kate Horrell, an accredited financial counselor and Navy spouse who regularly works with service members to address financial concerns . She discusses why financial planning is an important part of career planning, especially if you have a security clearance.  In the second half of the episode ClearanceJobs.com and security clearance attorney Sean Bigley discuss...

Cybersecurity Concerns for Cleared Professionals - SCI Episode 11 25.02.2022

Security clearance holders face more cyber risks. ClearanceJobs sat down with regular contributor and writer on cybersecurity topics , Peter Suciu. He dis cussed the problem of spoofed accounts and phishing scams , and what cleared professionals can do to keep themselves safe online. In the second half of the program Sean Bigley, attorney with Bigley Ranish , and Lindy Kyzer with ClearanceJobs tal...

Top Causes of Clearance Denial - SCI Episode 10 17.02.2022

Financial issues are far and above one of the top causes of security clearance denial and revocation . Learn more about top issues causing security clearance denial and revocation in a conversation about the State of the Security Clearance Process with Charles Phalen, former acting dir ector of the defense counterintelligence and security agency. In the second half of the program Sean Bigley and L...

State of the Security Clearance Process and Divorce and Your Clearance - SCI Episode 9 21.01.2022

ClearanceJobs unpacks the State of the Security Clearance Process with Charles Phalen, former acting dir ector of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Get the latest on the security clearance process, Trusted Workforce 2.0 , and other key impro vements in the security clearance process. In the second half of the program, Sean Bigley joins us to discuss divorce and your security cle...

Security Clearance Hot Topics - SCI Episode 8 09.01.2022

We continue our conversation with Mark Frownfelter, Assistant Director for the Special Security Directorate at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence . He talked hot topics in personnel security and clearance reform, including why candidates with drug use in their past shouldn' t 'weed' themselves out of the process, and how ODNI is staying responsive to policy changes in drug use. In...

Security Clearances in the Hot Seat - New GAO Report Lays Out Progress, Opportunity - SCI Episode 7 24.12.2021

The Government Accountability Office provides – you guessed it – accountability across a variety of federal programs. When a program lands on the GAO’s high risk list that means it is pa rticularly vulnerable and in need of transformation. Since 2018, the personnel security program has been on the GAO’s high-risk list – and it’s not the first time personnel security has been there. Progress has be...

Trusted Workforce 2.0 in the Intelligence Community - SCI Episode 5 13.12.2021

Mark Frownfelter, assistant director of the special security directorate of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence comes to talk about Trusted Workforce 2.0 and changes being m ade to improve and enhance the personnel security program. The personnel security program has come a long way, and even more changes are being considered to enhance and overhaul security efforts. Sean Bigley of...

Surviving Security Clearance Limbo - SCI Episode 4 22.11.2021

Sometimes a security clearance isn’t simply denied orrevoked – it enters a dreaded Loss of Jurisdiction status . It’s the equivalentof security c learance limbo, or maybe the Bermuda Triangle. While it may bedreaded, security clearance consultant William Henderson explains what you cando if your security clearance doesn’t go through. Then, security clearanceattorney Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer wit...

Drug Use and Your Security Clearance - SCI Episode 3 08.11.2021

Drug use is a growing security clearance consideration , with 17 states legalizing the drug at the state leve l and the rapid growth in CBD products. It's important to understand that because marijuana use remains illegal at the federal level, the government still considers it a no-go for clearance holders, and it creates many issues for clearance applicants. ClearanceJobs chats with Kimberly Berl...

DoD Reaches Full Enrollment in Continuous Vetting Program - SCI Episode 2 08.10.2021

ClearanceJobs talks with H eather Green, director of the Vetting Risk Operations Center at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency about reaching full enrollment of the DoD clearance population into the continuous vetting program . It's a critical milestone in the government's Trusted Workforce 2.0 personnel security reform initiative. Security clearance attorney Sean Bigley talks abou...

Your Friend in Afghanistan and Your Security Clearance - SCI Episode 1 01.10.2021

ClearanceJobs sits down with William Henderson to discuss foreign nationals and your security clearance, and Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer chat about legal issues surrounding your security clearance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Listen to the Security Clearance Insecurity podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.