Security Clearance Careers Podcast

Part 2 of our podcast with Dr. Gerald Auger who is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences at The Citadel in Charleston and a content creator and founder simplycyber.io. He really he brings Information security related content to help IT or Information Security professionals take their career further, faster. So, being a cybersecurity guru of sorts – he also spent sometime supporting DIB as a contractor.Today we chat about CMMC 2.0, the FBI issuing a alert on Russian threats targeting Ubiquiti routers, the FBI warning that China’s computer attacks are at a greater scale than ever seen before, and how the US healthcare sector is a big target for ransomware attacks.

National security headlines help us to remember recent events and shape what the DoD / IC landscape look like moving forward in the months to come.For this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, the content team runs through some of the top breaking news over the last month.Tech Layoffs Could Be the New Normal and the Hot, New Job in 2024The tech industry job cuts this year have puzzled many, given the substantial cash reserves of numerous firms. Despite a slowdown in the pandemic, layoffs continue, with 209 tech companies eliminating 50,312 jobs since January, as reported by Layoffs.fyi. Key players like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft have also followed suit, driving tech sector job reductions to levels reminiscent of the dot-com bust. Though some anticipated relief this year, the high number of cuts persists, leaving employees struggling in what was once a thriving job market. The primary reason behind this trend? Stock prices. Layoffs can elevate share values, leading companies to sustain this pattern. This situation might become the new norm in tech employment, with workers growing accustomed to it and investors content. Only time will reveal if this trend endures.National Security Compensation Sets Record HighDuring a year characterized by inflation and budget uncertainties, companies made decisive moves by introducing substantial salary increases. In 2023, successful candidates saw a significant 6% rise in their compensation, raising the average cleared salary to a record high of $114,946. For the second consecutive year, 67% of respondents noted an increase in their base pay. “The state of the national security job market remains strong,” said Evan Lesser, Founder and President of ClearanceJobs.DoD AI Vision Offers New Opportunities for Job Seekers with Key SkillsetsDuring the recent DoD 2024: Defense Data and AI Symposium, led by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office in Washington, D.C., the Pentagon presented the objectives required to sustain its "DoD AI Hierarchy of Needs." The strategy emphasizes quality data, governance, insightful analytics and metrics, assurance, and responsible AI.White House Pushes Pay Equity for Federal Employees and ContractorsOn January 29, 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama. The act aimed to enhance the enforcement of equal pay laws. The Biden administration recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of a significant federal pay equity law. Additionally, they emphasized the need for new measures to address pay gaps among federal employees and employees of federal contractors. According to a statement released by the White House on January 29, women workers still earn an average of 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. The disparities are even more pronounced for many women of color, resulting in significant financial losses over their lifetimes. In a move to promote pay equity, the White House issued two Executive Orders targeting the federal workforce and employees of federal contractors. 

Supply chain security is a term that is often discussed but rarely understood. Many definitions of supply chain are still centered on a logistics and physical infrastructure focused definition. Theresa Campobasso, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Exiger Government Solutions, joins Security Clearance Insecurity to talk about the 21st century supply chain. She shares more about how successful supply chain security integrates the physical and cyber, the supply chain security career track, and emerging threats and opportunities in supply chain security.

Part 1 of our podcast with Dr. Gerald Auger who is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences at The Citadel in Charleston and a content creator and founder simplycyber.io. He really he brings Information security related content to help IT or Information Security professionals take their career further, faster. So, being a cybersecurity guru of sorts – he also spent sometime supporting DIB as a contractor.Today we give tactical tips on how to get a job in the cybersecurity field and how businesses can better align with the current market to fill their cybersecurity roles.

Disinformation continues to threaten the spread of accurate information about issues at home and abroad. For women in national security, in particular, there are risks for being a public facing voice. Nina Jankowicz, disinformation expert and author of the book ‘How to Be a Woman Online’ joins the show to discuss why online harassment continues to be such a pervasive issue and what women can do about it.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the ClearanceJobs Content Team tests our knowledge on women in national security. This the second installment of our Game Show and is all about the glass-breaking ladies of national security.Listen in as host Katie Helbling tests Phoebe Wells' knowledge on this important topic. Spoiler alert: she fails miserably! Don't miss this hilarious and informative episode.

Selling and delivering solutions to the federal government takes a different approach than the typical sales cycle. Commercial sector companies sometimes find success in bringing a product or solution to the federal government, but then struggle to grow their businesses and get that critical next contract. Kristin Sargent founded Sargent Initiatives to help companies execute for defense customers. She joins the show to talk about the critical time we’re in today. More emerging and innovative companies are looking to work with the federal government, even as the government deals with the ongoing problem of continuous resolutions and underfunded support programs. Supporting the federal government, and classified contracts, in particular, requires well-oiled operations, including the work done by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).

In mentorship programs, 25% of mentored employees experienced salary grade changes, compared to just 5% among non-participants. Furthermore, DEI mentorship programs are credited by 80% of employees for fostering inclusivity, skill development, and sponsorship.Career development expert Janice Omadeke, who was one of the first 100 Black women in the United States to raise over $1M in seed funding for a tech startup, joins the podcast to dive further into the benefits for mentorship programs— for both the employer and employees.Drawing from her forthcoming book, Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success and from her own experience in the defense contracting space, Janice discusses the unwritten rules of working for a contractor and how having a mentor while navigating the old boys club was critical. But finding a mentor was no piece of cake and finding the right one takes self reflection and awareness. Janice says, “If you’re only focused on the shininess of someone's title, you could be missing out on a really engaging relationship.“ People may miss out on other leaders that are more accessible and really could catapult you into the next step up in your career. In this episode, Janice also touches on:Reasons your company should adopt a mentorship programThe importance of building mentorship programming that helps BOTH parties— not just oneThings to consider when building out a new mentorship program or revamping an existing oneMatching mentors with mentees: The do’s and dont’s The benefits of mentorship for employees Debunking myths associated with mentorship Janice can also draw from her personal experience, specifically with The Mentor Method, an enterprise software she created that transforms company culture through mentorship. While she built the software she notes, “Sometimes meaningful mentorship matches come from humans not machines. It’s important to let them decide and know that they have a choice.”

Bartholomew Perez got his start in mechanical engineering after leaving home for university, later earned his Masters in Architecture-based Enterprise Systems Engineering, then got a Professional Certificate in Electronic Warfare Technology. He worked for one of the top defense contractors in this space and is now a program lead amongst other things. Perez didn't serve in the US military and was born to immigrant parents. He joins the podcast to discuss the scares of what applying for a clearance may mean for his family.