GovCIO Media & Research Podcasts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) welcomed a new head of information security in 2023. With over 25 years of experience in enterprise-level digital transformation across federal government, CISO Michele Thomas highlights some of the lessons learned throughout her career, what led her to the agency and how she plans to better secure critical information and systems, as well as advance her unit's security strategy.

Women tech leaders across government and industry gathered at GovCIO Media & Research's annual Women Tech Leaders Summit to discuss how to recruit more women for government tech jobs, market the government mission and government job perks more effectively, and inspire the next generation of women tech leaders through mentorship. This special episode dives into speaker insights from the Defense Department, VA, HHS, FBI and more.

A State Department-supported effort is bringing together powerful geospatial and satellite data visualization tools to document and assess the impacts of Russia's war on Ukraine. At the heart of the data behind this effort is Susan Wolfinbarger, team lead for State's Location-based Observations for Conflict Analysis, Trends, and Evidence (LOCATE) in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Wolfinbarger details how her interests in geography led to her researching human rights and now supporting the evidence-making process at State as part of the Conflict Observatory. The public-private partnership, which includes entities like Yale Humanitarian Research Lab and Esri, aims to collect the evidence and data necessary for holding Russia accountable on the international stage for war crimes like torture, gender-based violence and starvation, as well as efforts to adopt and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. Wolfinbarger discusses the data layers behind some of the observations, and how these analyses and assessments inform future investigations following international documentation standards. Check out some of the data reports here: https://hub.conflictobservatory.org/

At the beginning of the year, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) along with an AI RMF Playbook and an AI RMF Roadmap to guide the future of artificial intelligence development. Chief of Staff of the agency's Information Technology Laboratory Elham Tabassi explains the framework's collaborative development and how it incorporates trustworthiness considerations into the design, development, use and evaluation of AI products, services and systems.

Data touches every aspect of IT, which makes the chief data officer a jack-of-all-trades. SOCOM CDO Dan Folliard is laser-focused on getting SOCOM data-ready for advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). He also discusses how data readiness improves an organization's overall cybersecurity posture.

In part two of this interview, National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL) Science-based AI/ML Institute (SAMI) Technical Director Kelly Rose discusses the foundational resources and workflows she's creating to enable access and partnerships for tech and AI tools. She details how open-source principles and security protocols will be key enablers to responsible AI for environmental missions in the research community.

The National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL) Science-based Ai/ML Institute (SAMI) is accelerating applied technology development for clean, efficient and affordable energy production. SAMI Technical Director Kelly Rose breaks down how the institute is using responsible AI in support of the Department of Energy's (DOE) environmental and social justice strategic objectives. Rose explains how NETL is democratizing access to data through the FAIR data principles and the Energy Data eXchange (EDX) platform.

The Marine Corps is undertaking largescale modernization of its technical capabilities. As Deputy Commandant for Information Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy puts it, all capabilities cannot be executed without tech especially in an ever-changing environment. Glavy discusses the efforts around computing at the edge, the foundational standpoint of information ahead of the upcoming Marine Corps Warfighting Publication-8 and what all this means for cyberspace operations.

DISA's Hosting and Compute Center (HaCC) is addressing challenges to various cloud capabilities across the Defense Department. Part of this means enhancing the overall customer experience of acquisition and breaking down silos across teams. HaCC Customer Experience Lead Kayne Kreitzer talks everything CX, including the tools that are helping the community navigate the challenging environment of cloud computing and acquisition such as the Account Tracking and Automation Tool (ATAT) and the DISA Acquisition Package Preparation System (DAPPS).

The age of information superiority is more than cybersecurity. For Department of the Navy CIO Aaron Weis, it's the "golden requirement" to securely move any data from anywhere to anywhere, paving the way for programs like Project Overmatch in the Defense Department's JADC2 concept. Weis discusses the potential game-changing impacts to data as we know it with technologies like Starlink and emerging foundational AI, as well as how he's viewing these in the context of the Navy's approach to tech and "Cyber Ready" strategy.

As the Department of the Air Force prepares to release its own zero trust plan just three months after the Pentagon released a department-wide five-year zero trust strategy, Air Force CIO Lauren Knausenberger is focused on reducing technical debt and elevating software factories to bring the Air Force into the future. Software factories can play a role in the implementation of the Defense Department's Joint All-Domain Command-and-Control (JADC2) concept and integration of the recently awarded Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract. Knausenberger also discusses her career journey and advice for those interested in working in national security.

NIST and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force recently released new AI frameworks, which dovetail with the White House's Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the Defense Department's Responsible AI Strategy. These AI guidance documents outline how to approach AI innovation in an ethical, responsible manner, but also how to develop AI algorithms effectively to meet mission needs. Join our editorial team to learn about how these frameworks and initiatives are impacting government services across civilian, defense and health agencies.

2023 will be a major year for the Department of Energy (DOE), which is in the process of implementing new investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. DOE is standing up 60 new programs, and aims to direct 40% of federal investments to underserved communities under President Biden's Justice40 Initiative. From her time as CIO for the EPA to her current role as Energy CIO, Ann Dunkin has been dedicated to sustainability missions. Dunkin breaks down what the future of clean energy will look like and discusses how the IT industry has an important role to play in catalyzing climate resilience.

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) cloud leader Sharon Woods kicks off the new year with an in-depth conversation about the role Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) will play in various concurrent cloud modernization efforts across DOD. She also dives into her journey from law school to defense IT, and offers advice for young women pursuing tech and national security careers.

The National Science Foundation has a powerful mission to engage and promote innovation within the scientific community. Key to that is enabling a culture that centers around people, not just technology. A longstanding public service leader, CIO Dorothy Aronson says staying up-to-date with the latest technologies is critical to an agency's success. But getting there means having a flexible IT governance process while also prioritizing people's happiness. Aronson also highlights HOPPER, an innovation management group that she established to bring innovators together to share their ideas and offer support for one another.

Connectivity is an essential component to everything in our daily lives. 5G and Wi-Fi are key enablers for all missions including data access and sharing, data analytics, communication, file transfer, logistics and more. Both 5G and Wi-Fi have separate applications, but both are necessary to ensure seamless operations. ID Technologies and Dell Technologies are tackling this convergence opportunity in the federal government. Jim Rousseau and Chris "CT" Thomas join us to break down the differences between the two and what agencies need to know to integrate them both in an enterprise. This episode is sponsored by ID Technologies and Dell Technologies.

As the year comes to an end, we bid adieu to our beloved Flywheel Fridays. Join our co-hosts Deputy Editor Kate Macri and Staff Writer/Researcher Sarah Sybert as they reflect on the most memorable moments and headlines of the year, such as the passage of the PACT Act for veterans, the Defense Department's new zero trust strategy and more. We also discuss leveraging lessons learned from the show for new and improved episodes coming your way across GovCast, CyberCast and HealthCast in 2023.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is placing the veteran at the center of every digital service. With the expansion of benefits following the passage of the PACT Act and new tools like VA's Health and Benefits mobile application, customer experience plays a critical role in how veterans access their services. VA's Chief Experience Officer John Boerstler joins us to explain how his agency is listening to the veteran to develop successful digital services and build trust across the community VA serves.

It's been a busy year for the federal family as agencies accelerate IT modernization efforts. Join Staff Writers Sarah Sybert and Katherine MacPhail at the Thanksgiving dinner table for reflections on the outcomes of those efforts and what they're thankful for this year. They'll unpack major initiatives like automation, DEI&A in the workforce, cybersecurity, CX and climate resilience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' first permanent Chief Data Officer Kshemendra Paul announced last month that he would be leaving VA to become the Department of Energy's new assistant inspector general for cybersecurity assessments and data analysis. Paul reflects on his time as VA CDO, including developing VA's Data Strategy and Roadmap, and left a few words of advice for his successor.

GovCIO Media & Research has been hard at work covering key events and conferences to keep you informed. Join Deputy Editor Kate Macri and Staff Writer/Researcher Sarah Sybert for our top federal tech takeaways on CyberSatGov, VHA's Innovation Experience (iEX) and FedHealthIT's Women in Leadership Awards. They'll dive into the latest trends around cybersecurity, satellites, encryption, health care innovation and the federal workforce.

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently launched its Vision 2022 strategy, which outlines how the agency will approach its widespread IT modernization and digital transformation. Longstanding leader in software and tech development who was behind salvaging HealthCare.gov, CIO Kurt DelBene discusses the agency's continued focus on transparency, the user experience and breaking down silos across the enterprise.

From 2012 to 2021, data center closures and optimization brought government an estimated 6.6 billion in cost savings and avoidances. Data center and energy management also play a key role in sustainability targets and the Biden administration's goal to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. General Services Administration (GSA) Director for the Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI) Thomas Santucci discusses the significant strides made by this program, which sunset from the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) scorecard this past January after all agencies made an "A" grade.

A lot happened in federal IT over summer 2022. Join senior researcher Kate Macri and staff writer/ researcher Sarah Sybert for a recap of some of the top headlines you may have missed on vacation, including updates on the PACT Act, green IT acquisition, JADC2, federal leadership changes and more.

From streamlining digital services to incorporating plain language, the Education Department's Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office has been working to modernize processes and improve user experience for the 10 million students it serves every year. Margaret Glick, FSA CIO, dives into how her office is working with schools to enhance the aid process and strengthen cybersecurity practices. To sign up and receive FSA's new cybersecurity newsletter, listeners can email [email protected] Public service employees who work for a local, state, or federal government or work for certain non-profits, may qualify for special loan repayment waivers. For a limited time, student loan borrowers may be able to get credit for past payments that don't qualify under the normal PSLF rules. These temporary changes expire on Oct. 31. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov/PSLFwaiver.

Leaders from across government are turning to strong DevSecOps strategies to shake up the status quo and increase the speed of software development. Our Digital Services: Disruptive DevSecOps virtual event brought together many of these innovators to talk agile methodology, infrastructure support and security, and more. Staff writers Sarah Sybert and Nikki Henderson join Flywheel Fridays to break down the highlights and key takeaways from the virtual event.

DAV's 2022 National Convention in Orlando featured an all-star lineup of speakers from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including all three undersecretaries from the agency's benefits, memorial and health arms, as well as Secretary Denis McDonough. The event also happened just days before President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law. Senior Researcher Melissa Harris and Staff Writer Sarah Sybert discuss the top takeaways from the convention and report how these leaders will prepare for and implement the new legislation. Hint: New workforce strategies and automation will be key to VA's success.

President Biden's recent executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion and access calls on federal agencies "to cultivate a workforce that draws from the full diversity of the nation." Department of Veterans Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dewaine Beard, as VA's No. 2 tech chief, discusses how his agency is implementing new workforce initiatives to drive a diverse, innovative culture. He also unpacks VA OIT's tech modernization and "vision-first" priorities ahead.

Federal IT modernization is a continuous process, and agencies are focusing on the different avenues and strategies they need to pursue to seek improved IT capabilities. Senior Researchers Kate Macri and Melissa Harris break down the top takeaways of the July 28 Blueprints of Tomorrow event featuring civilian and defense federal agencies and their work around data management, foundational tactics, workforce development and more.

The Census Bureau ramped up capabilities to enable the first digital decennial census in 2020. In the midst of that, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the bureau to a telework environment. Now Census Bureau Deputy CIO Gregg Bailey highlights the data science modernization underway in analyzing 2020 data and gearing up for the next census to prepare the bureau for its important role it plays in federal funds allocation and economic projections.

GovCIO Media & Research's second annual Women Tech Leaders event came back in-person this year. During the event, speakers explored the strides women are making in cybersecurity, data, customer experience, workforce issues and more. Senior researchers Kate Macri and Melissa Harris discuss highlights from the event and key takeaways.

With the 2022 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in the books, Special Operations Command CIO Peter Tragakis discusses his tech priorities. This includes a look at how the command is moving to a hybrid-cloud environment securely and balancing legacy IT with new technologies amid a highly disparate and mobile ecosystem.

The AI landscape is quickly moving as a collaborative effort across government. Staff Writer Katherine MacPhail joins Senior Researcher Kate Macri to unpack top takeaways from the AI Gov: Data virtual event. Topics include how to make AI research and infrastructure equitable and accessible while balancing privacy rights and civil liberties, as well as testing strategies for ensuring AI model accuracy and effectiveness. Featured perspectives include leadership from the White House, National Science Foundation and the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.

From hardware access to public health networks and responsible AI principles, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is working to shape effective programming that empowers its partners and breaks down digital divides. With over 25 years of international development experience primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, Chief Digital Development Officer Christopher Burns spearheaded the agency's first-ever digital strategy in 2020. Burns discusses USAID's two mutually reinforcing objectives that guide digital development, as well as his personal collection of African art and wooden stools.

On the heels of SOFIC, our researchers brief us on some major developments in the federal IT space. Most notably, there is the formation of the Biden-backed ARPA-H at NIH to improve government's ability to speed biomedical and health research, and also the rollout of the Defense Department's new Chief Digital and AI Office. Senior Researcher Melissa Harris and Staff Writer Nikki Henderson break down what these updates mean.

USSOCOM S&T Director Lisa Sanders discusses her funding and program priorities and why she thinks she has one of the top five jobs in the entire Defense Department.

USSOCOM S&T Director Lisa Sanders discusses her funding and program priorities and why she thinks she has one of the top five jobs in the entire Defense Department.

Director Ryan McLean discusses his modernization strategy for the Tactical Assault Kit, a map-based software application connecting USSOCOM, other U.S. military services and allied partners. TAK is critical for effective, efficient communication in warfighting scenarios. McLean's plan could launch the product center to software factory status under the Defense Department's new software modernization strategy.

The State Department is at the forefront of many international affairs, supporting American interests and values abroad. Behind the scenes, however, is a team that provides the IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and solutions that support those diplomatic activities. We talk with State CIO Keith Jones to dive deeper into what those IT activities and modernization priorities are, as well as how State is looking to meet its IT goals through bold contracting opportunities.

With the fiscal year 2022 budget finalized last month, why not look ahead? Our senior researchers break down key components of the Biden administration's proposed FY 2023 budget, including increases in spending for DOD, VA, IRS, DOJ and more. We'll talk cybersecurity, customer experience and infrastructure.

Federal agencies typically pursue contracts and engagement with industry vendors to produce solutions for different mission areas, but what if the barrier to entry to helping agencies overcome challenges was lowered? Today, we dive into the General Services Administration Technology Transformation Service's Challenge.gov and CitizenScience.gov initiatives to learn how the platforms are allowing agencies to engage with the public at large to present their problem areas and receive crowdsourced solutions. TTS Director of Open Innovation Jarah Meador, who runs the platforms, shares how they have made a difference across all of government.

Social Security Administration maintains and administers the benefits and records of tens of millions of Americans nationwide for retirement payments, as well as benefits for disability and survivors. With the growing eligibility pool over the next decade, IT modernization is imperative. Agency veteran Sean Brune discusses the agency's immense changes he's seen over his career and how he sees emerging technologies and directives impacting what's to come around digital services.

The 2022 HIMSS Conference in Orlando offered many exciting insights into the future of health IT. Senior Researcher Melissa Harris and Staff Writer Sarah Sybert were on the ground and now provide their top five takeaways from the conference. Topics include change management, APIs, interoperability, synthetic data, and expanded telehealth to combat future health crises.

Live from HIMSS, Former Department of Veterans Affairs CIO James Gfrerer discusses the importance of bridging business perspectives with tech-minded federal leadership. He reflects on his time in the role, some surprises he uncovered along the way and the importance of partnerships in technology modernization.

Measuring how new technologies are succeeding in health care require a more purposeful approach. Ryan Vega, chief officer of the Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning at Veterans Health Administration, discusses a new framework that is helping health-focused developers create personalized tools incorporating more automation and streamlined workflows.

One of the most promising capabilities set to impact health care is the application of artificial intelligence in all areas of the health care ecosystem. Lead coordinator of the Department of Veterans Affairs AI Tech Sprints, Rafael Fricks, joins us from HIMSS to talk how his tech sprints are improving data collection and predictive heath care for vets.

Our senior researchers are on the virtual red carpet for the first annual Flycademy Awards! Celebrate the year in federal IT with categories like Zero Trust Advocate of the Year, the FITARA Award, Cloud Thought Leader of the Year, and more.

It's an exciting time for electronic health records, especially for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Its notable EHR program went through a reorganization over the past year. Joining us from the new EHR Modernization Integration Office is Acting Deputy CIO Laura Prietula who will be instrumental in communicating with on-site staff about the system. But before this role, she's had a longstanding career at VA. She briefs us about the organization's new priorities and how she is approaching her leadership vision.

It's tax season, and senior researchers Melissa Harris and Kate Macri are here to guide you through the latest developments at the IRS. Topics include IRS Free File, cybersecure procurement, and our favorite winter Olympic sports.

In this inaugural episode of Flywheel Friday, senior researchers Kate Macri and Melissa Harris react to GovCIO Media & Research's AI Gov: Future Workforce event. Topics include telework and recruiting, misconceptions around automation and AI, and the true meaning of DevSecOps. Featured perspectives include Veterans Affairs' Todd Simpson and Gil Alterovitz, CISA's Martin Stanley, Defense Digital Service's Scarlet Swerdlow and Red Hat.