Fed Gov Today

• Untitled Episode

  --------  

  18:08
• The $2 Trillion Problem: How the Pentagon’s Property Blind Spot Is Draining Defense Resources

  Today, Alissa Czyz, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins Francis to expose a critical, costly challenge facing the Defense Department: mismanaged real property. Alissa shares how the Pentagon oversees a staggering portfolio of more than 700,000 facilities valued at $2.2 trillion, but a lack of consistent data across the military services is undermining its ability to manage and maintain these assets effectively.Alissa explains that although DOD issued standardized guidance nearly a decade ago to measure facility utilization, most services still rely on outdated or inconsistent methods. The Air Force only recently adopted DOD’s approach, while the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps continue to use their own inconsistent systems—leaving DOD without a true enterprise-wide view of how its property is being used or wasted. She outlines how the Army is piloting promising new tools to better measure space utilization, but inconsistencies persist across the services. She describes how installation-level control of facilities makes sense locally but creates a system-wide blind spot, preventing the Pentagon from managing risk and optimizing its enormous real estate portfolio. Alissa and Francis explore GAO’s five recommendations to DOD, including holding services accountable for consistent utilization measurements and requiring risk management processes that span entire services—not just single installations. You can read more about GAO’s findings and recommendations on today’s show page at fedgovtoday.com. And you can subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

  --------  

  11:03
• AI vs. AI: Why the Future of Cybersecurity Means Humans Are Out of the Loop

  Today, former NSA Technical Director and Synack co-founder, Mark Kuhr, breaks down the rapid evolution of generative AI, agentic AI, and their deep impact on cybersecurity across government. Mark explains that the proliferation of AI tools, like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, creates urgent new risks for agencies around data control and network security. He stresses the importance of securing sensitive data by encouraging the use of government-developed AI tools instead of consumer-grade models, avoiding potential leaks similar to past shadow IT problems.Drawing on his public and private sector experience, Mark highlights the critical privacy concerns both sectors face as employees blend personal and work-related AI usage, often without proper controls. He discusses how the adoption of government-specific AI tools, like GSA’s new initiative, is a smart move toward safeguarding agency data. Mark also introduces agentic AI—the next frontier where multiple specialized AI agents collaborate autonomously to solve problems, mimicking human teamwork. Mark emphasizes that in a world where adversaries are using AI to exploit vulnerabilities within minutes, defenders must move just as fast—or faster—by automating security and vulnerability management. He discusses the urgent need to modernize legacy systems, evolve FedRAMP toward machine-to-machine compliance verification, and embrace AI-driven vulnerability scanning.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

  --------  

  19:19
• Why Defense Tech Must Stay Flexible: Inside the New Modular Systems Revolution

  Today, we dive deep into the critical shifts happening in defense acquisition strategies. Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Nick Guertin, joins the program to unpack the Defense Department’s new guidance mandating a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to building military capabilities. Nick shares behind-the-scenes insights on how modularity and open standards aren't just technical buzzwords—they are essential to staying ahead in a world where adversaries are evolving rapidly.Nick reflects on his time leading transformation within the Navy, including establishing a new Deputy Assistant Secretary role focused on mission systems and championing the creation of a Naval Modular Open Systems Approach guidebook. He discusses how breaking systems into modular, upgradeable parts allows the military to adapt faster without the time and cost of massive overhauls. Francis and Nick explore how modularity balances innovation with potential risks like requirements creep, ultimately ensuring that forces stay mission-ready with flexibility built into every ship, airplane, and system from the ground up.You can find a link to the new guidance on today's show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

  --------  

  19:40
• One Atlantic, All Fronts: The Navy’s New Way to Win Wars Before They Start

  The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

  --------  

  28:29

More Government podcasts

Trending Government podcasts

About Fed Gov Today