Security Clearance Insecurity

The security clearance marketplace continues to grow more challenging for recruiters and hiring managers. Unfortunately, 2024 looks to be more of the same, with heavy competition for cleared candidates and national security professionals. Evan Lesser, founder and president of ClearanceJobs.com, talks about what companies and federal agencies can expect from the cleared community in 2024, how they can address the current talent crunch, and initiatives and features to come for the ClearanceJobs community.

In the second half of the show, ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and legal correspondent Sean Bigley discuss what to do if you think there may be someone out there in your past or present looking to 'get you.' If you have a bad reference (or a few), what impact might that make in the security clearance process?

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Who are the 'customers' who are a part of the security clearance process? And does the government consider the stakeholders involved in the security clearance process in a way that could improve the security vetting enterprise? A recent report from the RAND Corporation dives into the candidate experience journey and how it applies to personnel vetting. David Stebbins, political scientist and Rich Girven, senior international defense researcher, chatted with ClearanceJobs about the process of getting a security clearance and best practices in candidate experience.

Simple expectations like hearing back or having a status update on your security clearance are aspects of the process that aren't taking place today. Another obstacle is the disparity between the private sector and how quickly they're able to onboard, along with vast differences just between agencies in how they update (or ignore) applicants.

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Ana Montes spied on behalf of communist Cuba for 17 years. A new book by former FBI agent Peter Lapp discusses how Montes was able to carry out as a dangerous insider for nearly two decades, and his own career journey with the FBI. In our interview, we discuss how the book outlines loyalties "from both sides of the equation," and what took one person down a path to protecting and defending America's interest, and how another chose to betray her country. Montes was recently released from prison, making it a timely discussion as those in national security continue to study what makes an insider.

In the second half of the program ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and security clearance legal correspondent Sean Bigley discuss binge drinking and marijuana usage by middle-aged Americans - what that might mean for security clearance eligibility.

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When you come across companies supporting the defense and intelligence community and doing it with a focus on innovation and company culture - you take notice. ClearanceJobs chats with Michaela Flatau, chief unicorn collector (i.e. 'putting the human back in human resources') for Defense Unicorns. Defense Unicorns is an innovative software development/delivery company, competing for the best tech talent with some of the hottest missions in government. Flatau shares her journey from government employee to government contractor, and what she sees as key struggles in the government hiring process.

In the second half of the show, ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and legal correspondent Sean Bigley discuss the always hot topic of personal work on the company clock. How can this come up for clearance holders and applicants, and what should individuals be aware of?

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Healthcare is one of the most at risk elements of critical infrastructure. Brian Mazanec, Deputy Director, Office of Preparedness in the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, chats with ClearanceJobs about how the Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) sectors are responding to the rising risks. He shares why healthcare professionals need to care about cybersecurity, the cascading risks a cybersecurity breach can have, and how preparedness can help make the healthcare sector more resilient to rising threats.

Addressing cybersecurity is truly an interagency effort, especially in the healthcare sector. The Department of Health and Human Resources is increasing its efforts and offerings to the public health community.

In the second half of the program, Sean Bigley security clearance legal correspondent and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs discuss the adjudicative guidelines. They discuss what are they, and why should security clearance holders know what they are. And of course, they discuss everyone's favorite hot topic - the most talked about adjudicative guideline, drug use.

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Eric Pecinovsky, VP of marketing at ClearanceJobs.com is back on the podcast to discuss our upcoming Connect 2023. This is the third year for bringing together national security hiring professionals for the only event of its kind. Speakers this year include Tracy Walder, Sue Gordon, DCSA, ODNI, and a unique blend of government contractors and government agencies to discuss key issues affecting the national security community. Eric and Lindy discuss what to expect from the the conference, why it's worth attending, and what you need to know.

And since Eric is the resident #natsec pop culture expert, they also decide to take a little detour to discuss Charlie Wilson's War - take a spin down the security rabbit hole to learn tidbits about the film you probably didn't notice the first time.

In the second half of the show, security clearance legal correspondent Sean Bigley and Lindy discuss some of the craziest cases they've seen come across through the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals.

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More companies understand the risks of insider threats, but too many assume that addressing insider risk is a primarily government function. Trusted Workforce 2.0 has created continuous vetting and other solutions to help identify risks, sooner - but they're not the only options companies have today. Given the average insider risk incident will cost a company nearly 10 million, a small investment could provide big benefits. ClearanceJobs chats with Andrew Razumovsky, principal at CANDA Solutions, a security, risk management, and agile methodology company. Their Fresh Haystack solution creates integrated risk management. Andrew discusses the changing technology involved in addressing insider risk and why it's both a human and technology-centric problem. He also discusses the fallacy of assuming the government will address your insider threats for you.

In the second half of the show, ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and legal correspondent Sean Bigley discuss the legalization of marijuana. New legislation aims to make it easier for feds who have used marijuana to join the government's ranks - is there a future for the legislation, and what does it really mean for drug use in federal workers.

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The Homeland Security Experts Group is gearing up for their upcoming Homeland Security Enterprise Forum, a two-day event designed to bring together leaders around the critical topics affecting our nation. ClearanceJobs sat down with William Evanina, former director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center and a HSEG expert, and Rob Walker, executive director of HSEG to discuss the upcoming forum and the topic of foreign investment.

In the first part of the segment both Evanina and Walker offered reflections on 9/11, a date that brings up distinct memories for both and reminders of why the work of protecting the homeland is so important. It is a date neither will forget, and became a tipping point and North Star in their national security careers.

Evanina has been a frequent speaker on the topic of foreign investment and influence and the ongoing efforts of the Chinese Communist Party against the U.S. government and private industry. Evanina has testified that the U.S. is under an ongoing terrorist threat, with significant economic and national security implications. Evanina and Walker each discuss the gravity of threats and the importance of awareness and collaboration across sectors of government.

Those topics and more will be the focus of the upcoming Homeland Security Enterprise Forum, taking place at the Omni Shoreham hotel October 9 and 10.

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It's National Insider Risk Awareness Month, a month where companies and government agencies step out and look to step up their insider risk understanding. ClearanceJobs chatted with Dave Komendat, the former Chief Security Officer at Boeing, currently the president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, and recently named as an advisor for SIMS Software, a leading security information management system supporting the national security community and commercial sector in addressing insider risk.

Insider threats are nothing new, and Komendat spent a career addressing security from a variety of levels. He learned the important art of not just understanding risk, but being able to convey it to the c-suite - which is a critical aspect of developing a successful security program. For too long, security was a stove-piped function without the proper crossover into other key company functions, like IT and human resources. Komendat talks about making the shift and other practical considerations for security programs and officers today.

In the second half of the show legal correspondent Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer discuss dual citizenship considerations for security clearance holders and applicants.

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The National Cryptologic Foundation (NCF) is gearing up for their second annual Cocktails and Codebreakers event. This year's event, co-hosted by NCF and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF), spotlights the Men and Women in Cryptology and will feature a Fireside Chat with guest speakers The Honorable Ronald S. Moultrie, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security (USDI&S) and Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency; Chief, Central Security Service.

We chatted with NCF CEO and President Laura Nelson, who spent a career working in the Intelligence Community including with the National Security Agency. She talks about today's ongoing need for cryptologists and codebreakers, the NCF's comprehensive programming to help educate and inform the next generation of codebreakers, and what attendees at their upcoming event can expect.

The event will feature great conversation and networking opportunities. You can find more information and register here.

In the second half of the show legal correspondent Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer discuss age in the security clearance process. Yes, age can be a factor in a security clearance determination, and youthful indiscretion can be used to mitigate certain issues. On the other hand, there are some issues more likely to trip up younger candidates - learn what those things are.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.