Keeping IT Brief: The Power Perspective

How do you turn emerging technology into real mission impact for the Federal government? 

In this episode of FORUM’s Keeping IT Brief, we sit down with Brian Funk, Chief Technology Officer at MetaPhase, to explore Federal IT modernization, GenAI, cloud architecture, DevSecOps, and Agile transformation. 

With deep experience leading technology initiatives across government agencies, Brian shares how to evaluate emerging technologies like Generative AI and geospatial systems — and determine what truly drives mission outcomes versus what’s just hype. 

At MetaPhase, innovation lives at the intersection of business and IT. Their approach blends technical excellence with a culture-first consulting model, creating practical, scalable solutions that act as a true force multiplier for agencies. 

We also discuss: 

• How Agile development strengthens Federal digital transformation
 • The evolving role of DevSecOps in government cybersecurity
 • Building empowered, high-performing technology teams
 • Aligning cloud strategy with agency mission goals
 • The biggest opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Federal IT 

If you’re interested in government technology, Federal consulting, cloud modernization, DevSecOps, GenAI adoption, or IT leadership, this episode delivers insight you can apply today. 

Listen now and stay ahead of what’s next in government innovation. 

#FederalIT #GovTech #DigitalTransformation #CloudComputing #DevSecOps #GenAI #Agile #GovernmentConsulting #ITLeadership #Innovation #MetaPhase #FORUMPodcastNetwork #KeepingITBrief

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

What does it take to modernize technology inside the Department of Defense? 

In this episode of FORUM’s Keeping IT Brief, we sit down with Richard Kellahan, Project Manager at TIAG, to talk about DoD contracts, electronic security systems, and federal IT project management. 

Richard has supported Department of Defense programs since 2006 and currently leads projects in Charleston, SC — identifying opportunities in the Electronic Security Systems (ESS) federal government space. With experience in management, procurement, financial reporting, customer relations, training, and an active Secret Clearance, he brings a 360-degree view of government program delivery. 

Recently PMP-certified through the Project Management Institute, Richard shares how formal project management frameworks strengthen execution in complex government environments — and why discipline, communication, and adaptability are critical in DoD modernization efforts. 

We also explore: 

• The biggest challenges of implementing new technology in secure DoD environments
 • How ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI® Level 3 standards support federal IT excellence
 • Building high-performing teams in government contracting
 • Delivering innovation beyond the scope of work
 • Emerging opportunities in federal electronic security and defense technology 

If you’re interested in government IT, federal contracting, DoD modernization, PMP leadership, or electronic security systems, this episode delivers practical insight from the field. 

Listen now and stay ahead of the mission. 

#DoD #FederalIT #ProjectManagement #PMP #ElectronicSecurity #GovernmentContracting #DefenseTechnology #Modernization #Leadership #CMMI #ISO9001 #TIAG #FORUMPodcastNetwork #KeepingITBrief

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Federal agencies are under pressure to modernize legacy systems, strengthen cybersecurity, and deliver better digital services—all while staying mission-focused. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Mike Deutsch, Chief Growth Officer at Alpha Omega, to talk about what it really takes to drive digital transformation in government IT. 

With more than 20 years of federal market experience, Mike has helped scale and grow industry leaders like Aquilent (acquired by Booz Allen Hamilton) and CollabraLink Technologies (acquired by Washington Harbour Partners). Now, he’s leading growth strategy at Alpha Omega as the company expands its impact in the full and open federal space. 

We discuss:
 • The biggest challenges in government IT modernization
 • How agencies can successfully adopt artificial intelligence and cybersecurity solutions
 • Building high-performing teams in a fast-changing federal environment
 • Delivering real customer experience improvements in Federal agencies
 • What’s next for digital modernization, AI in government, and operational resilience. 

Alpha Omega supports national security and national resilience through expertise in digital modernization, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity — helping agencies future-proof legacy systems and accelerate operational efficiency. 

If you care about federal IT, GovCon growth strategy, digital transformation, AI in government, cybersecurity, and mission-driven technology, this episode is for you. 

#KeepingITBrief #FederalIT #DigitalTransformation #GovCon #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #GovernmentTechnology #NationalSecurity #Leadership 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

AI is moving fast—and cyber threats are moving faster.
As federal agencies race to modernize, how can they adopt AI securely without increasing risk?

In this episode of FORUM’s Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Chris Townsend, Global VP of Public Sector at Elastic, to unpack what’s coming next for AI, cybersecurity, and federal IT modernization in 2026.

With the federal government prioritizing AI adoption and digital transformation—highlighted by the 2025 AI Action Plan and procurement initiatives like GSA’s OneGov program—agencies are under pressure to innovate quickly while maintaining security, compliance, and mission continuity.

Chris explains how Elastic’s open, scalable Search AI Platform helps government organizations modernize legacy systems, strengthen security operations, and gain real-time visibility across data silos. The conversation also dives into the growing risks tied to rapid AI adoption, including supply chain attacks, identity-based intrusions, and zero-day exploits.

You’ll also hear insights on Elastic’s recent partnership with CISA, focused on developing a unified SIEM-as-a-Service to standardize security data collection and accelerate incident response across federal civilian agencies.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The top cybersecurity challenges facing government agencies in 2026
• How AI can turn security data into faster, smarter decisions
• Why standardized security data collection is critical for federal defense
• How Elastic supports Zero Trust, secure AI adoption, and modernization at scale

As cyber threats continue to grow in complexity, this episode offers practical insights for public sector leaders balancing AI-powered innovation with the imperative to protect sensitive data.

#KeepingITBrief #FederalIT #GovTech #Cybersecurity #AIinGovernment #PublicSector #Elastic #CISA #SIEM #ZeroTrust #GovAI #ITModernization #DataSecurity 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Healthcare AI can’t scale without the right cloud foundation.

On this episode of FORUM’s Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Jaison Correya, CEO of CLOUDVICE, to explore how cloud, data engineering, and AI are reshaping healthcare and the U.S. public sector.

Founded in 2020, CLOUDVICE is an Oracle partner with an exclusive focus on the public sector. The company helps healthcare organizations and state and local governments modernize back-office and front-office operations—from payroll and finance to budgeting and planning—using Oracle SaaS Cloud to drive efficiency, transparency, automation, and ROI.

Jaison shares what inspired him to launch CLOUDVICE and how his background in cloud, AI, and large-scale program management shaped the company’s mission to support innovation in healthcare and government.

In this conversation, Mary Ann and Jaison discuss:

• The biggest barriers to scaling AI in healthcare, including data readiness and legacy systems
• Why real-time insights remain so difficult for many organizations
• How CLOUDVICE helps agencies build strong cloud and data foundations
• What makes the CLOUDVICE + Kardia.ai partnership unique in improving workflows and decision support in heart failure care
• Where healthcare AI is headed—and where CLOUDVICE plans to make its greatest impact

If you work in healthcare IT, public sector technology, cloud strategy, or digital transformation, this episode delivers clear, practical insight—without the fluff.

🔗 Guest: Jaison Correya, CEO, CLOUDVICE
🔗 Host: Mary Ann Brown
🔗 Connect with Jaison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaison-correya/

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Some conversations are worth hearing again—this episode is one of them. 

Federal agencies are under pressure to innovate—while staying compliant.

As cyber threats evolve and AI becomes mission-critical, agencies are struggling with the growing tension between innovation and compliance. Frameworks like NIST’s Risk Management Framework (RMF) are essential—but increasingly criticized for slowing modern technology adoption.

One of the biggest pain points?
 The Authority to Operate (ATO) process.

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, Peter O’Donoghue, CTO of Tyto Athene, and Gaurav “GP” Pal, CEO of stackArmor, join the conversation to explore how agencies can modernize RMF implementation without throwing the framework away.

Together, they discuss:

• Why the ATO has become a bottleneck for federal IT and cloud programs
• How manual, outdated processes clash with modern DevSecOps practices
• The role of automation, ATO-as-code, and continuous compliance
• Practical ways agencies can accelerate innovation while maintaining security and trust

With decades of experience in cloud computing, cybersecurity, FedRAMP, FISMA RMF, DoD RMF, and CMMC, Peter and GP bring real-world insight into how government can move faster—without compromising mission or security.

If you work in federal IT, cybersecurity, cloud modernization, or compliance, this episode delivers clear, actionable perspective on what needs to change—and how to get there.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown speaks with Oliver Sadorra, Chief Growth Officer at Dark Wolf Solutions. Oliver explores the real-world state of AI across government and industry and shares insights from years leading software development, DevSecOps adoption, and AI/ML integration for national security missions.

Together, they unpack the AI trends that truly matter, public perception vs. reality, how agencies can innovate without compromising trust, the emerging skills today’s workforce needs, and the one piece of advice Oliver gives organizations beginning their AI journey.

Dark Wolf Solutions delivers agile DevSecOps, advanced analytics, cybersecurity, rapid prototyping, and mission engineering for federal and Fortune 500 customers—operating where technical innovation meets mission need.

 #KeepingITBrief #AI #CyberSecurity #GovTech #DevSecOps #Innovation #DarkWolfSolutions #Leadership #TechTrends #FutureOfWork 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Keri Gentilcore leads the DHS and National Security portfolio at ITC Federal, where she oversees teams delivering innovative, mission-focused technology solutions. With more than 20 years of experience across federal security and civilian markets—including leadership roles at Eagle Hill Consulting and Booz Allen Hamilton—Keri brings deep expertise in mission analytics, risk management, strategic planning, and IT modernization.

ITC Federal delivers advancements in automation and AI, IT infrastructure and operations, and financial services to help federal agencies strengthen operational efficiency and national security.

In this episode, Keri discusses the latest Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations for DHS and outlines practical steps the agency can take to modernize IT operations, improve acquisition and management processes, enhance financial management systems, and drive greater efficiencies across major national security programs.

 #KeepingITBrief #ITCFederal #DHS #NationalSecurity #FederalIT #ITModernization #GAO #Cybersecurity #GovernmentTech #ITOperations #FinancialManagement #PublicSectorInnovation #TechPolicy 

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From the FIFA World Cup to the Olympics, securing massive global events isn’t just about physical barriers—it’s about defending digital infrastructure that supports everything behind the scenes.

In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown speaks with Tim Miller, Field CTO and Public Sector Cyber Lead at Dataminr, about how cyber and physical security are converging—and why governments and event organizers must think holistically to stay ahead of threats.

Tim shares insights from 17 years in public sector technology and explains how Dataminr’s world-leading AI helps deliver early warnings and real-time visibility when it matters most.

Tune in to hear how proactive intelligence and AI-driven threat detection can protect both digital and physical domains.

Tim Miller, Field CTO and Public Sector Cyber Lead at Dataminr

Tim Miller has spent 17 years as a technologist helping public sector organizations adopt innovative technology solutions to create operational efficiencies and drive success across critical missions. Currently, Tim is the Field CTO for Dataminr’s Public Sector business, responsible for developing go-to-market strategies and client delivery of Dataminr’s first purpose-built cyber offering for the public sector. During his 8 years at Dataminr, he has held many different roles in managing some of the most strategic client relationships, helping lead enterprise-scale deployments of First Alert within the US Department of State, US Department of Homeland Security, and US Department of Health, among many others.

Dataminr

Recognized as one of the world’s leading AI businesses, Dataminr delivers the earliest warnings on high-impact events and critical information far in advance of other sources. The company’s world-leading AI platform, powered by more than 50 proprietary large-language models, enables faster responses, more effective risk mitigation and stronger crisis management for public and private sector organizations, including global corporations, first responders, NGOs, and newsrooms.

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts. 

Federal agencies struggle with tension between innovation and compliance as cyber threats evolve and AI becomes mission-critical. NIST's Risk Management Framework (RMF) faces scrutiny for complexity that slows transformative technology adoption. 

The Authority to Operate (ATO) has become a bottleneck, frustrating agencies with delays and manual processes misaligned with modern development practices. 

Peter O'Donoghue (Tyto Athene CTO) and Gaurav Pal (stackArmor CEO) join Keeping IT Brief to discuss modernizing implementation without discarding the framework. 

 Peter O’Donoghue (Chief Technology Officer at Tyto Athene)

Peter O’Donoghue has over two decades of experience in the technology industry, a history of executive leadership positions at several Fortune 500 companies, and a track record of success in cloud computing, cybersecurity, application dev, and IT modernization.

Peter’s eye for building solutions that align to where the technology puck is moving, and his ability to drive the development of new products and services to drive growth, ensures that Tyto Athene remains at the forefront of driving meaningful innovation that achieves mission advantage. To learn more, please visit Peter on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-o-962154/.

About Gaurav Pal (CEO at stackArmor, a Tyto Athene company)

Gaurav “GP” Pal is the CEO and founder of stackArmor (a Tyto Athene company). He has over 20 years of digital transformation experience with large U.S. government, defense, healthcare and commercial organizations providing mission acceleration and assurance using commercial cloud services and automating the ATO process.

He is a subject matter expert in helping organizations rapidly meet FedRAMP, FISMA RMF, DOD RMF and CMMC compliance. GP received the GCN Rising Star, Fed100 and Meritalk Cyber Defender awards for his role in successful cloud and security program implementations at U.S. federal agencies. He is currently a Board Member at the Alliance for Digital Innovation (ADI) and Industry Project Leader for the ACT-IAC ATO-as-code initiative.

GP is passionate and highly-skilled with a personal commitment to excellence and integrity – consistently building positive and mutually beneficial relationships with partners and government agencies. Connect with GP on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gppal/. 

 About Tyto Athene (https://gotyto.com/) 

Tyto Athene delivers secure, mission-critical technology solutions that empower defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies to modernize infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, and stay ahead of evolving threats. As a mission-driven integrator, the company combines deep technical expertise with a hands-on, collaborative approach to ensure government agencies and OCONUS teams have the tools needed for operational success.

From network modernization to cyber defense, Tyto Athene helps organizations turn data into actionable insights, enabling information dominance and greater mission effectiveness. The company’s commitment to innovation and customer success drives the team to deliver solutions that enhance security, resilience, and communications across the government landscape. Learn more about Tyto Athene at https://gotyto.com/. 

Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and discover more conversations with the FORUM Media Network at GovForum Podcasts.