Security Clearance Insecurity

This episode of Security Clearance Insecurity covers two timely issues facing the cleared workforce. First, Lindy Kyzer talks with Mike Flanders, founder of SudoTouch, about the technology gap slowing SCI nomination processing and how automation can help security offices keep pace with Trusted Workforce 2.0's shift to continuous vetting.
Then, attorney Elisabeth Baker-Pham joins Lindy to break down Guidelines B and C — foreign influence and foreign preference — and what clearance holders need to know when conflicts abroad (Ukraine, Israel, tensions with China) change how existing foreign contacts are viewed, even without any change in the clearance holder's own behavior.
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This episode tackles two very different but equally timely clearance issues. First, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Andrew Lotwin, Senior Vice President of Federal at ISI and a former senior leader at DCSA, to unpack the Department of War's proposed expansion of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) requirements.
The draft rule would extend FOCI disclosure obligations well beyond the traditional cleared contractor base to any contractor or subcontractor with contracts over $5 million — a change DCSA estimates could take FOCI determinations from roughly 2,000 a year to as many as 40,000. Andrew breaks down what this means for industry awareness, DCSA staffing and technology needs, the strain on the NISS system as it transitions to NISS Increment Two, and how bidders (not just contract winners) could soon be pulled into the process before award. The conversation closes with a look at broader clearance reform priorities, including reciprocity between Title 10 and Title 50 organizations and the push for more transparency in the facility clearance process.
In the second half, security clearance attorney Elisabeth Baker-Pham joins Lindy to talk about the clearance risks that tend to surface every summer: overspending and vacation debt, unreported foreign travel (including the "does a cruise count?" gray area), marijuana and hallucinogen use while visiting family or relaxing in legal-use states, DUIs around holiday gatherings, and the general lapses in judgment that come with letting your guard down. With continuous vetting now catching more of these incidents in real time, they explain why self-reporting and consistent judgment matter just as much in July as they do the rest of the year.
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Could security clearance holders soon have more time to return to government service after leaving the workforce? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, Lindy Kyzer is joined by ClearanceJobs Content Director Jill Hamilton to discuss the proposal to extend the security clearance eligibility window for veterans from two years to five years, what it could mean for workforce mobility, taxpayer investment, and the future of Trusted Workforce 2.0.

Then, security clearance attorney Elizabeth Baker-Pham joins the show to tackle one of the most anxiety-inducing topics for clearance holders: what happens when a former partner, coworker, or acquaintance reports you to the government out of spite? Learn how investigators evaluate allegations, why honesty and documentation matter, and the steps you should take if you're ever the target of a malicious or exaggerated report.

Whether you're transitioning out of the military, navigating a career change, or worried about how personal relationships could affect your clearance, this episode breaks down what you need to know—and separates fact from fear.
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Trusted Workforce 2.0 has transformed personnel vetting, but implementation is still catching up.
In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer sits down with Aarti Smith, CEO of Chainbridge Solutions, to explore how continuous vetting is changing workforce risk management across the federal government—and why automation, AI, and modern personnel security systems are becoming mission-critical.

They discuss:
How continuous vetting has replaced the old "set it and forget it" clearance model
What Continuous Vetting Action Reports (CVARs) are—and why they matter
The growing "continuous vetting gap" between policy and operational reality
How DCSA's shared services and NBIS modernization could improve personnel security
The role of APIs, automation, and dashboards in reducing administrative burden
Where AI can support adjudicators without replacing human judgment
Why applicant experience and secure onboarding portals are becoming essential
What agencies should prioritize as Trusted Workforce 2.0 continues to expand to larger populations

Plus, in a second conversation, Lindy Kyzer and security clearance attorney Elisabeth Baker-Pham discuss what every college student should know before pursuing a career in national security—from understanding the difference between a public trust and a security clearance to avoiding common mistakes that can jeopardize future eligibility.
Whether you're a security professional, hiring manager, federal contractor, or aspiring clearance holder, this episode offers practical insights into the future of personnel vetting and workforce readiness.
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The federal personnel vetting landscape is evolving—and understanding the changes has never been more important. In this episode of Security Clearance in Security, host Lindy Kyzer is joined by former OPM suitability expert Bill Pedersen to unpack the biggest updates to federal suitability regulations, Trusted Workforce 2.0, and continuous vetting.
They explain how OPM's reforms are creating greater consistency across agencies, what post-appointment suitability actions mean for federal employees, how new reporting capabilities could improve government-wide visibility, and why understanding your position designation has become increasingly important. Whether you're a federal employee, contractor, facility security officer, or security clearance holder, this conversation breaks down complex policy changes into practical insights you can use to better navigate today's personnel vetting environment.
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