Fed Gov Today

Lonye Ford, CEO of Arlo Solutions, examines the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making. Ford explains how automation can help an already stretched cyber workforce manage vulnerabilities, continuously monitor systems, and turn large volumes of information into actionable insights. She also discusses why understanding mission context is essential when deciding where to invest cybersecurity resources.

Chandra Donelson, Strategic Advisor for IT Modernization, Analytics, and AI for the Department of the Air Force, joins Francis Rose to discuss the Iron Compass Initiative, an effort to modernize human resources IT systems across the Air Force and Space Force. Donelson explains how the department is stabilizing, rationalizing, and modernizing its technology portfolio while creating a more user-friendly experience for airmen, guardians, and their families.

Federal employees who automatically renew their benefits may be overlooking changes that will affect their households throughout the next year. Greg Klingler, President & CEO of GEBA, says open season should begin with a deliberate review of coverage, costs, and family needs.

In his conversation with Francis Rose on Fed Gov Today, Klingler describes inertia as a major influence on plan selection. A familiar plan may feel like a safe choice, especially when it has worked well during the current year. But satisfaction with past coverage does not establish whether next year's benefits will offer the same value.

Military readiness depends on the energy that powers the force and the speed at which useful technology reaches service members. Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations, & Environment at DoW, says those priorities belong in one connected effort that begins with the warfighter.

In his conversation with Francis Rose at the Energy Sentry Expo, Marks explains that installations are essential to preparing and deploying combat capability. Their energy requirements are directly connected to operations, weapons platforms, and the people who depend on them. Treating installation energy and operational energy separately can obscure those relationships.

The Pentagon is exploring new operational energy technologies designed to improve military readiness, and Maj. Justin Shine says innovation only matters when it makes warfighters more effective.

Shine, Military Deputy in the Pentagon's Office of Operational Energy Innovation, joins Fed Gov Today to explain how his organization identifies, tests, and develops technologies for military operations.

Shine says the office evaluates innovations based on whether they improve survivability, operational endurance, or mission effectiveness.

The development process varies depending on the technology's maturity. Early-stage projects can require approximately three years of scientific and engineering work, while more developed prototypes may move through one to two years of additional testing.

Warfighter feedback plays a central role throughout that process.

Shine explains how service members from different military branches evaluate technologies based on their operational needs, providing feedback on everything from weight and size to usability and performance.

Federal agencies are investing in new technologies to improve customer experience, but Evan Davis says the greatest opportunity may come from changing when government provides assistance.

Instead of waiting for people to encounter problems or ask questions, agencies could use data to anticipate their needs.

Davis, Executive Managing Director at Maximus, joins Fed Gov Today to explain how data can help federal organizations modernize services and move toward a more proactive customer experience.

He says both government and the private sector are navigating major changes in how they serve customers.

For federal agencies, those changes create an opportunity to consolidate services and make interactions with government more efficient.

Davis describes that evolution through three stages: reactive, interactive, and proactive care.

The federal government is taking another step toward making services easier for Americans to access through America.gov, and Mary Bati says collaboration is essential to making that vision a reality.

Bati, Chief Information Officer at the National Design Studio, joins Fed Gov Today to discuss the platform's September 29 launch and the work underway to expand its capabilities.

Bati says the General Services Administration plays a critical role in supporting America.gov's infrastructure, while federal agencies are increasingly engaging with the National Design Studio to explore how their services can become part of the platform.

The Pentagon is seeing growing demand for advanced nuclear technologies, and Mike Smith, Nuclear Portfolio Lead for Operational Energy Innovation at the Pentagon, says the conversation around nuclear power looks dramatically different than it did just two years ago.

During an interview on Fed Gov Today, Smith discusses how military interest in nuclear microreactors is creating new opportunities for research, development and investment.

As military leaders look for ways to accelerate modernization, Autumn Sand, Managing Director and Defense Portfolio Lead at Accenture Federal Services, says commercial innovation can help the armed forces deliver capabilities at the speed their missions demand.

During an interview on Fed Gov Today, Sand explains how the commercial sector's experience with competition, emerging technologies and rapid decision-making can support military readiness.

The Navy is accelerating its efforts to use artificial intelligence and data across the fleet, but Barry Tanner, Chief Information Officer at the Navy, says the real measure of success is how quickly the service can turn information into action.

During an interview on Fed Gov Today, Tanner discusses the Navy's strategy to weaponize data and artificial intelligence, a plan focused on helping sailors and Marines learn, adapt and respond faster than their adversaries.