ATARC Federal IT Newscast

Latest Episodes:

Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government with Special Guest Gustavo Limon, Vulnerability and Program Compliance Manager, NOAA Nov 20, 2023

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Welcome to this episode of "Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government," where we dive into the world of cybersecurity with Gustavo Limon, the Vulnerability and Program Compliance Manager at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). In this insightful conversation, Gustavo emphasizes the importance of looking beyond individual threats and delves into the challenges posed by emerging AI generative technologies in the public domain. He sheds light on the often overlooked vulnerabilities faced by smaller entities, stressing that patch management for the 'little guys' is a critical aspect of a robust cybersecurity strategy. He challenges conventional thinking by advocating a zero-trust approach, urging us to treat everything as if it is already corrupted or a threat. Join us in this episode as Gustavo Limon provides valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity, offering a fresh perspective on important topics!

Doing Tech Better in Government with Kevin Portanova, IT Director at NOAA Fisheries Nov 09, 2023

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In this episode of “Doing Tech Better in Government,” host Brian Fox talks with Kevin Portanova, the IT Director of NOAA Fisheries. With over two decades of experience in government IT, including roles within the Navy, DoD, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Kevin offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the federal IT landscape. Kevin sheds light on the commonalities and differences among federal agencies, particularly in the realm of data security and protection. He also emphasizes the delicate balance between enabling employees for success and adhering to security mandates, especially in the ever-evolving IT landscape. Kevin mentions organizational assessments focusing solely on IT needs was a game-changer to align employee requirements with overarching organizational goals. He also underlines the importance of continuous learning in IT, emphasizing that staying updated is a necessity to avoid falling behind. Join us for this insightful conversation on the challenges and triumphs in government IT!

Solving for X: Season 2, Episode 5: Healthcare Transformation: Bridging the Employee-Patient Gap at the Veterans Hospital Administration with Employee Whole Health Oct 25, 2023

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In this episode of “Solving for X,” Nina Bianchi and Ben Park sit down with Dr. Kavitha Reddy, an Emergency Medicine Physician and the Associate Director of the Employee Whole Health Initiative at the VHA's Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. Dr. Reddy's journey began with a personal experience of burnout and a critical realization about the connection between health care workers, patient experience, and outcomes.

Dr. Reddy shares insights into her team’s dynamic transformation work dedicated to bridging the gap between veteran care and employee well-being, explaining how you can address both system change and employee whole health. She also discusses the efforts to grow a Chief Wellness Officer network, the REBOOT Task Force, a dedicated initiative by the VHA to (R)educe (E)mployee (B)urnout and (O)ptimize (O)rganizational (T)hriving, led by determined individuals committed to health workforce well-being.

Tune in as we explore the critical role of leadership and the journey toward reshaping the healthcare system to ensure the well-being of employees and, in turn, the quality of care for patients. Don't miss this insightful conversation with a passionate advocate for positive systemic change in healthcare.

Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government with Special Guest Aastha Varma, Branch Chief, CISA Oct 16, 2023

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In this episode of “Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government, we meet Aastha Varma, Branch Chief at CISA's Cybersecurity Division in the DHS. She's a vulnerability management expert and sees vulnerability management as the first line of defense in the cyber world. Aastha discusses building infrastructure for tackling cyber challenges, advocates for collaborating with others within industry, and promoting diversity in STEM. After learning from the SolarWinds incident, she stresses the importance of information sharing. Finally, she explores the role of AI in cybersecurity and how despite it being beneficial in many ways, it can also create new vulnerabilities. Join us for an insightful look at the evolving cyber landscape!

Doing Tech Better in Government with Guest Mukunda Penugonde, Deputy Director, Technology Transformation Service, GSA Oct 12, 2023

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In this episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government," we sit down with Mukunda Penugonde, Deputy Director of the Technology Transformation Service (TTS) at GSA (General Services Administration). We delve into the evolving landscape of digital technology and its profound impact on how consumers interact with both each other and businesses. Mukunda highlights the critical importance of continued investment in digital processes, especially as technology becomes increasingly integral to daily life, from shopping to entertainment. He also shares insights on the importance of building consistent yet flexible leadership approaches to avoid what he aptly calls "leadership whiplash."Join us in this insightful conversation as we explore the transformative journey of TTS at GSA and the future of government technology in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Solving for X: Season 2, Episode 4: LinkedIn Federal Solutions: Far More Than Just Another Social Network Sep 27, 2023

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This week @Nina Bianchi is joined by LinkedIn’s @Kelly Finzer and @Rob Whiteside. In this episode we’re bringing listeners more solutions, so you don’t want to miss it if your agency is looking for 21st century talent solutions and strategies? Join us as we debunk some common myths that many federal leaders believe about LinkedIn and learn how their platform not only gives your organization access to the talent marketplace, 200 million+ users in the U.S. alone, but also access to 20,000 curated courses that can be used to develop and train your staff. Did you know that skills development conversations and human capital issues often start in the IT department? Did you know that LinkedIn Learning has custom content mapping for things like Executive Core Qualifications, and the NIST cyber framework? You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation!

Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government with Scott Heitmann, Chief Technology Officer, United States Air Force. Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of 'Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government,' we have the privilege of sitting down with Scott Heitmann, the current Chief Technology Officer of the United States Air Force. Scott takes us on a journey through his remarkable efforts to revolutionize the Air Force by implementing cutting-edge technologies, resulting in the fastest worldwide upgrade in Microsoft's history, ultimately improving the quality of life for our Airmen. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with this visionary leader, who has reshaped the United States Air Force by championing innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation in an ever-changing world.

Doing Tech Better in Government with Nic Vandre, United States Army Special Operations Command. Sep 14, 2023

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In this installment of Doing Tech Better in Government, we engage in conversation with Nic Vandre, a 20-year veteran presently serving within the United States Army Special Operations Command. Nic highlights the significance of transparency and accountability within the constantly evolving emergent space. He also encourages individuals within the defense and market development sectors to fully embrace collaboration and how to do so ethically. Join us to delve deeper into the current challenges within organizational processes and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance employee satisfaction and overall operational efficiency.

Solving for X Season 2, Episode 3: Creating a Better Environment for Healthcare Workers Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of Solving for X, we sat down with Dr. Katie Cole, holistic psychiatrist and host of the ‘Hope for Healthcare’ podcast to address some of the biggest concerns facing the healthcare industry today. Through her work as a psychiatrist, Dr. Cole has been able to target the contributing factors of burnout, job-person mismatch, and workplace-related stress. Listen in to learn more about how engineering human-centered technology and creating more resources for workers can create a major impact in the future of the healthcare field for workers and patients.

Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government with Korie Seville, Technical Director of the Hosting and Compute Center, DISA Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of Building a Resilient Cyber Defense in the Federal Government to hear a conversation with Korie Seville, Technical Director of the Hosting and Compute Center at DISA. Korie discussed the importance of understanding the principles of Zero Trust before implementing them, and how it is becoming more vital for data-driven systems. Learn more about how the Department of Defense is adapting strong defense systems to a hybrid working model, and what kinds of threats arise when transitioning to new modes of data protection.

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