In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown speaks with Oliver Sadorra, Chief Growth Officer at Dark Wolf Solutions. Oliver explores the real-world state of AI across government and industry and shares insights from years leading software development, DevSecOps adoption, and AI/ML integration for national security missions. Together, they unpack the AI trends that truly matter, public perception vs. reality, how agencies can innovate without compromising trust, the emerging skill...
Keri Gentilcore leads the DHS and National Security portfolio at ITC Federal, where she oversees teams delivering innovative, mission-focused technology solutions. With more than 20 years of experience across federal security and civilian markets—including leadership roles at Eagle Hill Consulting and Booz Allen Hamilton—Keri brings deep expertise in mission analytics, risk management, strategic planning, and IT modernization. ITC Federal delivers advancements in automation and AI, IT infrast...
From the FIFA World Cup to the Olympics, securing massive global events isn’t just about physical barriers—it’s about defending digital infrastructure that supports everything behind the scenes. In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown speaks with Tim Miller, Field CTO and Public Sector Cyber Lead at Dataminr, about how cyber and physical security are converging—and why governments and event organizers must think holistically to stay ahead of threats. Tim shares insights from ...
Federal agencies struggle with tension between innovation and compliance as cyber threats evolve and AI becomes mission-critical. NIST's Risk Management Framework (RMF) faces scrutiny for complexity that slows transformative technology adoption. The Authority to Operate (ATO) has become a bottleneck, frustrating agencies with delays and manual processes misaligned with modern development practices. Peter O'Donoghue (Tyto Athene CTO) and Gaurav Pal (stackArmor CEO) join Keeping IT ...
Federal agencies are under growing pressure to modernize digital identity systems as cyber threats escalate and citizens expect seamless digital services. Yet legacy infrastructure, siloed systems, and inconsistent standards create barriers to trust and efficiency. Biometrics and next-generation identity technologies offer a path forward—but adoption requires careful balance between security, usability, and privacy. Today Jesus Aragón, CEO and Co-Founder of Identy.io discusses how investing i...
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office from April identified cybersecurity concerns and lack of data privacy as some of the top risks associated with Generative AI. As the federal government ramps up AI investments, with the DOD prioritizing AI in its Software Fast Track (SWFT) Initiative and recent legislation allotting hundreds of millions for AI-related efforts, industry findings point to emerging risks that government agencies need to start addressing during initial AI ...
The White House's latest cybersecurity executive order has introduced critical new directives for federal agencies: incorporate AI software vulnerability management into existing processes and share indicators of compromise for AI systems. But as agentic AI and GenAI adoption accelerates across government—often creating complex Shadow IT networks—how can agencies gain the visibility needed to securely integrate these powerful tools? In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sit...
Join host Mary Ann Brown for a fascinating conversation with Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace, as he takes us beyond Earth's atmosphere to explore one of the most critical challenges of our time: keeping space safe, sustainable, and secure. In this episode, Tim reveals how Slingshot Aerospace is transforming space domain awareness through cutting-edge AI technology. As space becomes increasingly crowded with thousands of satellites and growing commercial activity, the need for comp...
As the federal government looks to modernize IT solutions to better support citizens and create efficiencies, they often face challenges in adopting emerging technologies like AI due to complex compliance requirements and integration barriers. It’s key that organizations have the ability to help government teams navigate these complexities and deliver measurable outcomes that modernize operations and maximize value for federal missions. In December 2024, iTech AG achieved a milestone in feder...
Fraud, waste and abuse of the Medicare system have always been challenging to get under control. Those who exploit federal health care programs can cost taxpayers billions of dollars, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report, while putting beneficiaries’ health and welfare at risk. CMS’s Center for Program Integrity plays a key role in managing this challenge by detecting, preventing and combating fraud, waste and abuse across CMS and other federal health programs. Bey...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programs at SANS Institute, to discuss one of the most pressing issues in cybersecurity today: the talent shortage in federal agencies. As nation-state cyber threats continue to evolve, agencies are facing an uphill battle to find skilled cybersecurity professionals. Max sheds light on how inclusive and targeted training programs can help address this critical shortage by unlocking untapped ...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Jim Coyle, US Public Sector CTO at Lookout, to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats posed by nation-state actors. With over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, Jim brings invaluable insights into the emerging tactics, tools, and techniques used by global adversaries to target critical infrastructure. As we look toward 2025, Jim highlights the growing alignment between cyber efforts from na...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with George Kamis, Chief Technology Officer at Everfox, to dive into the critical intersection of cybersecurity, zero trust, and cross-domain solutions. With over 25 years of experience in Cyber and Cross Domain Solutions, George sheds light on the common misconceptions surrounding zero trust and its role in government security frameworks. While zero trust is foundational to securing networks, George explains why it cann...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Robert Ezekiel, Director and Product Strategist at Booz Allen Hamilton, and a winner of the prestigious 2025 FORUM IT100 Award. Robert reflects on what this award means to him personally and professionally, sharing how his work supporting Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Hiring Our Heroes program has made a lasting impact. Robert talks about a pivotal career moment that shifted his focus from a technical role to one centered o...
In today’s episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown chats with Matt Quinn, Science Director at TATRC/DoD, about his groundbreaking program, Passive Data Collection for Automated Documentation, which won a 2025 Disruptive Tech Award. Matt dives into the specifics of his award-winning program, explaining how it addresses key challenges in the GovCon space and what makes it stand out in the industry. He shares insights into the innovation process, the critical technologies that played a ...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Tris Carpenter, General Manager for Strategic Growth at Red Team Consulting, to explore the evolving landscape of federal contracting. As the current administration ushers in significant changes, Tris provides valuable insights into how companies can adapt, thrive, and stay competitive. Key topics discussed include: The major shifts in federal contracting policies and their potential impactHow workforce reductions are aff...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Alexis Bonnel, Chief Information Officer & Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Recently recognized with the prestigious 2025 FORUM IT100 Award, Alexis shares her thoughts on what this achievement means to her both personally and professionally. Through this conversation, Alexis reflects on a pivotal moment in her career that significantly contributed to her success and ...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Felipe Fernandez, Chief Technology Officer at Fortinet Federal, Inc. With over 20 years of experience in networking and cybersecurity, Felipe leads the charge in delivering mission-critical cybersecurity solutions for federal agencies. He shares valuable insights on the current state of zero trust implementation across federal agencies, as well as the challenges many still face in aligning these principles with their unique...
In this episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Saeed Elnaj, Chief Innovation Officer at RELI Group, to discuss the role of AI in transforming the federal health industry, particularly in the Medicare system. With 30 years of experience in technology leadership and expertise in Generative AI, cloud technologies, and digital transformation, Saeed shares his insights on how AI can significantly improve customer experience (CX) and health outcomes for older, non-digital-nat...
In this special episode of Keeping IT Brief, host Mary Ann Brown is joined by Ann Dunkin, former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and recipient of the 2025 FORUM IT100 Award. With a wealth of experience in both government and private sectors, Ann reflects on her career journey and what this prestigious award means to her personally and professionally. She also shares a pivotal project or moment in her career that significantly contributed to her success....