Security Clearance Insecurity

In this episode, we sit down with Sabra Horne, a passionate advocate for innovation and intrapreneurship within the federal government. Drawing from her extensive experience working across both government and industry, Sabra unpacks the complex barriers that hold back innovation inside federal agencies, especially when it comes to empowering the people who make change happen.

Sabra reminds us that true transformation isn’t just about new tech. It’s about people. She shares candid insights on why the human side of innovation is so often overlooked, and what shifts must occur in leadership, culture, and workforce development to make real, sustainable change possible. For federal employees who dream of driving change from within, Sabra offers practical advice on how to be an effective intrapreneur in bureaucratic environments that can sometimes feel resistant to fresh ideas.

We also explore success stories where government agencies have gotten innovation right, highlighting what happens when leadership and workforce are fully aligned behind a mission. Finally, Sabra shares her vision for reimagining how government hires and grows talent to support innovation, and what steps agencies can take starting tomorrow to build a more agile, empowered, and forward-thinking workforce.

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Join us for an insider’s look at how Tru-Vetting is reshaping the personnel security landscape. In this episode, we explore the driving force behind Tru-Vetting’s founding, its alignment with Trusted Workforce 2.0, and how its technology eases the burden on overworked FSOs while keeping compliance front and center. Hear firsthand how modern tools can enhance insider threat detection, continuous vetting, and risk management — and learn from early adopters about real-world success stories proving that better vetting makes for a stronger, more resilient workforce.

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The annual NCMS Seminar brings together security professionals from across the nation. In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of the NCMS Annual Seminar—the premier event for industrial security professionals. Joining us are special guests Stevie Dahl and Sarah Turner, members of the NCMS National Board of Directors, who share their insights from this year’s event, including the most asked-about sessions, trends shaping the security profession, and why NCMS continues to be the must-attend seminar for cleared industry leaders.

From insider threat programs to classified contract compliance, the NCMS Seminar offers practical training and powerful networking for professionals across the national security ecosystem. Whether you're a long-time NCMS member or a first-time attendee, you’ll get a front-row seat to the people, policy, and partnerships shaping the future of security.

Tune in to hear Stevie and Sarah discuss:

• What to expect from this year’s keynote speakers and breakout sessions
• How NCMS is evolving to support professionals across career levels
• What’s new for NCMS members in 2025
• Why community and collaboration remain critical to mission success

This episode is your pass to the conversations happening at the cutting edge of security.

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What’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, we sit down with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss GAO’s recently released report on the federal government’s personnel vetting reform initiative, Trusted Workforce 2.0.

Czyz breaks down the GAO study, its key findings, and what they reveal about the current state of implementation across the federal personnel security enterprise. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the persistent delays with NBIS, she provides an expert look at where progress is real—and where it's still pending.

We explore:

Whether you're a policy wonk, FSO, or national security hiring lead, this conversation offers rare clarity into one of the government’s most ambitious—but still evolving—reform efforts.

🎧 Tune in to learn where Trusted Workforce is heading—and what it’ll take to get there.

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Iron Butterfly Podcast continues to tell the untold stories of women serving in the Intelligence Community. Cadie Hopkins and Megan Jaffer join the show to discuss their latest endeavor - a full length documentary highlighting never before told stories of women serving in the IC. Iron Butterfly continues to champion belief, authenticity, and love, and the importance of platforms for women to share their stories and experiences.

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Debbie Sallis of The Cyber Guild, a nonprofit on a mission to build a resilient, inclusive cybersecurity workforce joins the show to discuss how the Guild is tackling retention, community-building, and allyship through programs. Plus, hear how the upcoming May 29th Cyber Connect event in Arlington, VA is helping transitioning federal and military professionals build trusted connections, sharpen their skills, and protect their clearances in today’s volatile market. Discover why curated relationship-building—not just networking—is key to the future of cybersecurity careers. For more info and to register, visit www.thecyberguild.org. In the second half of the show, Lindy Kyzer and Sean Bigley of ClearanceJobs discuss the finer points of what it means to leave a job under 'unfavorable circumstances' - and why the question commonly trips up clearance applicants.

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A number of intelligence community professionals now find themselves looking for their next opportunity. Unfortunately, the transition out of the IC and into the private sector doesn't come with a guidebook. That's why Alison Bouwmeester wrote the book Mission: Career Transition. After spending 28 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, she took on the new task of helping others to find their next opportunity after government service. She outlines dos and don'ts, including why it's important to get as much resume detail cleared before you start looking as possible, why contracting can offer a softer landing, and how to activate your networks to land opportunities.

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n this episode, we're joined by Elisabeth Baker-Pham, partner at KCNF, for an in-depth conversation on a big change coming to the federal security clearance process. Elisabeth breaks down the new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire, or PVQ — a major update aimed at simplifying and streamlining the clearance application journey.

What does the PVQ mean for applicants? Why are forms like the SF-85, SF-85P, and SF-86 getting consolidated? And what revisions are being made to key questions? Elisabeth walks us through what you need to know.

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Every day there seems to be new guidance going out to the federal workforce, sometimes with mandates that conflict with local agency communication. How can federal workers stay on top of the policy deluge? Kevin Shehan, owner and founder of Shehan Legal and a former civil servant joins the show to discuss recent hot topics, from the 'five things' email to the firing of employees on probationary periods. And he ends the show with a bright spot - all of the changes today may end up enabling more federal workers to enter service in the long run, as the government shifts from a lifelong service model to technical and project sprints.

Federal workers are also invited to join ClearanceJobs' free federal forum Fedwork.net to trade advice, stories, and news articles.

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In the midst of massive restructuring across the federal government, federal workers may be wondering how to cope with the massive changes. Jill Hamilton, senior editor of ClearanceJobs joins the program to talk about the influx of news and changes. For federal workers in the national security space it's important to follow specific agency guidance and not get caught up in negative headlines.

For federal workers looking for another spot for water cooler talk, commentary, and job opportunities, ClearanceJobs recently launched FedWork.net. The federal forum had been in the works since Federal Soup shuddered its pages. The hope is it can be another resource, in addition to the many out there, to help federal workers.

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