Security Clearance Careers Podcast

Working a contract onsite as a billable employee can feel extremely disconnecting from the defense contractor you’re employed under. Burnout can run rampant as you rarely see the light of day while working in a SCIF. Corner offices of executive level leadership look attractive - they come with more sunlight, more responsibility, but even more rewards.

"Hacker in Heels" is a term that often refers to women who are involved in the field of cybersecurity or hacking, a traditionally male-dominated industry.The Hacker in Heels organization, which provides resources, training, and networking opportunities specifically for women interested in cybersecurity. By offering courses, mentorship, and a supportive community, such organizations strive to break down barriers and create a more inclusive environment in the tech industry.Maril Vernon and Stacey Champagne didn’t have technical backgrounds in cybersecurity but are now incredible disruptors in this space. Stacey was a visual information specialist for the government and Maril came from marketing. But both wanted to increase their earning potential in a field that they knew was never going away both in the private / commercial sector and defense. Also, as hosts of the Cyber Queens Podcast, they hope to help women level up in technical careers and increase female and LGBTQ diversity in cybersecurity.This is the first episode of a two part series - which will teach you what you need to do to get your foot in the door, and their experiences sometimes being the only women in the room.

This weekend the intelligence community is celebrating one of its highlight events of the year, the Intelligence and National Security Alliance’s William Oliver Baker Dinner. The event is a great engagement between current and former intelligence and national security community, and each year INSA recognizes the remarkable contributions of some of our nations incredible leaders. This year’s William Oliver Baker award is being awarded to retired Gen. Paul Nakasone. Nakasone recently retired as head of U.S cyber command and the National Security Agency, after decades of service in the U.S. Army. Gen. Nakasone joins the program to talk about the recognition and the path he sees forward in cyber.

Security threats are growing, and there is high demand for security professionals to work across the spectrum of security functions, from physical and personnel security to cybersecurity. Professional associations are a critical part of attracting and training the next generation of talent. NCMS is a non-profit professional security society, and they’re gearing up for their annual seminar taking place in Nashville June 10-13. ClearanceJobs sat down with Stevie Dahl, NCMS board member and co-chair of the seminar planning committee. She discussed what to expect from this year’s seminar, including keynote speakers Tracy Walder and John F. Edwards, and David Cattler and Matthew Redding with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. From keynotes to networking and professional development, the NCMS Seminar has a lot to offer the security profession.

What's up with federal and national security careers in the last month? Here are the federal opportunities available, clearance process changes to consider, and two contractors to target in your job search.Expanded Opportunities for Entry Level Jobs in the Federal GovernmentThe Office of Personnel Management (OPM) enhanced the Pathways Program for early career talent in the federal government by:Expanding skills-based hiringIncreasing starting salaries for recent graduatesFacilitating interns' conversion to permanent positionsOPM's goal is to improve talent pipelines in federal agencies and offer opportunities across various sectors and industries.The programs are interns, recent graduates, Presidential Management Fellows (PMFs), and Enhanced Recruitment Tools.Changes to SF-86 Drug Questions Hide a Nasty Surprise for Some ApplicantsSecurity clearance applicants traditionally completed Standard Form (SF) 86 for background checks, including questions on drug use. A new "Personnel Vetting Questionnaire" (PVQ) combines SF-86 with SF-85 and SF-85P, separating drug use questions into cannabis and other illegal drugs categories. Despite these changes, caution is advised for applicants due to potential implications. The National Adjudicative Guidelines for Security Clearances – the standards against which all applicants are assessed – remain currently unchanged, as does the Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The use of federally legal cannabis derivatives (i.e., those with a THC concentration of 0.3% or less by dry weight pursuant to the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act) can result in a positive drug test that could hurt the ability to maintain access to classified info.This most important thing regarding these changes is a federal law known as the Bond Amendment. This law prevents agencies from granting a clearance to anyone currently using marijuana. Federal agencies have interpreted “current” to mean any use of a drug within the last year. But some reports indicate that the new questionnaire will shorten the reporting period for past marijuana use to only 90 days. If true, this disparity in questions language and policy may further confuse applicants on an already murky topic.Praxis Interns Dive Deep into Tech, Bridge Local and Global ChallengesPraxis interns have been assigned the responsibility of utilizing AI to extract essential details from videos. This extracted information enables users to search for videos without the need to watch them. The interns were given a collection of more than 700 cell phone videos (approximately 10 hours) that were recorded during the January 6 Capitol Riot. The team concentrated on analyzing various aspects of the videos, including audio, images, and metadata.Praxis interns collected sample data by intercepting packets sent by mobile devices to a designated router. Using this data, they were able to show the value of various analysis techniques by creating two applications: CometGo and CometLo.Impactful Missions in Law Enforcement at Booz AllenBooz Allen employees work on missions for the greater good, including law enforcement collaborations to streamline processes and prevent threats. Team members share their experiences and address common questions about working in law enforcement at Booz Allen.

Doxxing issues are on the rise, along with deep fakes and AI. What can you do if someone posts your personal information online? If you're a security clearance holder, should you be concerned about the security risks of doxxing? On the other side, what if you take things too far in an online dispute and find yourself having doxxed someone - could you face clearance issues?

Your favorite national security pop culture talk is back with Eric Pecinovsky, vice president of marketing at ClearanceJobs and resident documentary expert. He discusses the 2017 documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, now streaming on Netflix. While best known as a Hollywood starlet, she should be most remembered for her significant technical and scientific achievements. Lamarr coinvented a radio guidance system called frequency hopping, considered the forerunner to Bluetooth technology.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant and concerning issue among U.S. veterans, stemming from the unique and often harrowing experiences faced during military service. PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. For veterans, these events can include combat exposure, training accidents, sexual assault during service, and other traumatic experiences.Northwest Battle Buddies is a noble and inspiring organization dedicated to providing service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological challenges resulting from their military service. Founded on the belief that no veteran should face the battle for normalcy alone after serving their country, this nonprofit aims to empower veterans by partnering them with specifically trained service dogs. These dogs are not just pets, but lifelines to a better quality of life, offering companionship, security, and a sense of independence.The founder joins the podcast to discuss their work.