ATARC Federal IT Newscast

Join us for another episode of "Doing Tech Better in Government" as we explore the world of government technology and innovation with Rick DeLappe, Interagency Program Manager for Recreation.gov. Rick discusses the importance of agile methods being utilized in order to stay ahead of technological advancements and emphasizes the importance of employee input and adapting based on stakeholder and customer feedback. He also highlights about using a collaborative approach to not only enhance service delivery but optimize resource utilization. Tune in for valuable insights into navigating the complexities of government technology with adaptability and foresight.

Stephanie Wilson, Procurement Contracting,Agreements, and Grants and Agreements Officer at ACC - Rock Island, discusses integrating AI into government procurement, navigating nontraditional procurements, combatting legacy tech, and the importance of making people 'familiar with the unfamiliar.' She explores the challenges of understanding comfort levels and gauging risks in the ever-evolving landscape of AI.

Get ready for our newest episode of the podcast Solving for X as we sit down with Erica Ford, a distinguished Partner/Principal at EY for the U.S Government Private Sector (GPS) People Advisory Services. Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in human-centered strategy and transformation, and she's here to share her insights with you. Dive into the conversation as Erica unravels her unique perspectives on proactively investing in your employees, all through the lens of workforce and employee experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the intersection of technology, strategy, and human experience. Tune in and let Erica's expertise guide you through the complexities of modern organizational transformation.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.