Across the federal government, leaders are wrestling with the challenge of attracting and keeping top tech talent. Salaries in the private sector are often higher. Government hiring can be slow and recent changes across the federal government add a new level of uncertainty, but agencies are finding creative ways to cultivate the talent they need. Federal News networks, Anastasia Obis spoke with federal leaders about how their agencies are working to recruit and retain tech professionals and why mentorship is important when it comes to retaining

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Improving the security clearance background investigation process continues to be a major priority for government and industry. Several provisions in the fiscal 2026 national defense authorization bill are aimed at expanding the pool of clear talent for more on these efforts federal news networks. Justin Doubleday spoke with the Vice President of Technology Policy and Government Relations at the Professional Services Council, Tim Brennan.

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Congress has been out for a while, but next session may look a little different, such as the increase in federal and National Guard troops stationed around the Capitol now, as well as many other pressing issues. Deputy news director for Bloomberg Government, Lauren Duggan joined me earlier to break down what things on the Hill will look like the next couple of weeks. 

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For the past decade, The Opportunity Project has quietly transformed how government tackles big challenges—by inviting the public in. Through short, focused development sprints, federal agencies have partnered with technologists, advocates, and entrepreneurs to turn open data into real-world solutions. Here with his reflections on what’s worked, what’s scalable, and how this model of agile, collaborative problem-solving could shape the future of public service is the President and Founder of CODE, Joel Gurin.

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The defense industrial base we rely on today was shaped by decisions made decades ago. Now, contractors and policymakers are working to adapt that legacy system to meet modern demands—from supply chain security and acquisition reform to workforce readiness and emerging technologies. David Norquist, president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, joined me to talk about what it will take to accelerate that transformation.

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Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

• We have the defense industrial base we contracted for a generation ago. Can it meet today’s demands?
• What happens when government opens its data—and its doors—to new ideas?
• Congress' next session may look different, with federal and National Guard troops roving the Capitol

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Nearly half of all US passport renewals are now happening online through a platform the State Department launched less than a year ago. Before its launch, the paper based process for renewing a passport remained largely unchanged since the 1970s the department is also increasing its passport adjudicator workforce to avoid backlogs and delays for more on all of this federal news networks. Jory Heckman spoke with the acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Matt Pierce.

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Federal agencies are learning that implementing Zero Trust means more than deploying new tools. It requires rethinking how users, devices and data interact across every layer of the enterprise. In a recent conversation with Federal Drive host Terry Gerton, Steve Shirley and JR Williamson unpacked how agencies are moving beyond compliance checklists to embrace Zero Trust as a living, evolving model for secure operations. Steve is Executive Director of the National Defense Information Sharing & Analysis Center. JR Williamson is Senior Vice President & Chief Information Security Office at Leidos.

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Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

• FEMA’s future is on the line. A former Administrator says reform must start with redefining the mission
• Zero Trust is evolving—agencies must adapt fast or fall behind in securing dynamic environments

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FEMA's future is uncertain. Legal fights, funding cuts and reform debates are piling up. But what should change and what should stay? In a wide-ranging conversation, Federal Drive Host Terry Gerton spoke with Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long to get his thoughts on the path forward.

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