What’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, we sit down with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss GAO’s recently released report on the federal government’s personnel vetting reform initiative, Trusted Workforce 2.0.

Czyz breaks down the GAO study, its key findings, and what they reveal about the current state of implementation across the federal personnel security enterprise. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the persistent delays with NBIS, she provides an expert look at where progress is real—and where it's still pending.

We explore:

• What’s working—and what’s stalling—in the implementation of Trusted Workforce reforms.
• Why some core initiatives, like the Personnel Vetting Management Standards, remain unimplemented.
• How GAO assessed confidence in NBIS as the central IT system supporting background investigations.
• Whether Continuous Vetting can overcome its overshadowed status to become the cornerstone of a modern vetting model.
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Whether you're a policy wonk, FSO, or national security hiring lead, this conversation offers rare clarity into one of the government’s most ambitious—but still evolving—reform efforts.

🎧 Tune in to learn where Trusted Workforce is heading—and what it’ll take to get there.

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Debbie Sallis of The Cyber Guild, a nonprofit on a mission to build a resilient, inclusive cybersecurity workforce joins the show to discuss how the Guild is tackling retention, community-building, and allyship through programs. Plus, hear how the upcoming May 29th Cyber Connect event in Arlington, VA is helping transitioning federal and military professionals build trusted connections, sharpen their skills, and protect their clearances in today’s volatile market. Discover why curated relationship-building—not just networking—is key to the future of cybersecurity careers. For more info and to register, visit www.thecyberguild.org. In the second half of the show, Lindy Kyzer and Sean Bigley of ClearanceJobs discuss the finer points of what it means to leave a job under 'unfavorable circumstances' - and why the question commonly trips up clearance applicants.

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A number of intelligence community professionals now find themselves looking for their next opportunity. Unfortunately, the transition out of the IC and into the private sector doesn't come with a guidebook. That's why Alison Bouwmeester wrote the book Mission: Career Transition. After spending 28 years with the Central Intelligence Agency, she took on the new task of helping others to find their next opportunity after government service. She outlines dos and don'ts, including why it's important to get as much resume detail cleared before you start looking as possible, why contracting can offer a softer landing, and how to activate your networks to land opportunities.

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n this episode, we're joined by Elisabeth Baker-Pham, partner at KCNF, for an in-depth conversation on a big change coming to the federal security clearance process. Elisabeth breaks down the new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire, or PVQ — a major update aimed at simplifying and streamlining the clearance application journey.

What does the PVQ mean for applicants? Why are forms like the SF-85, SF-85P, and SF-86 getting consolidated? And what revisions are being made to key questions? Elisabeth walks us through what you need to know.

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Every day there seems to be new guidance going out to the federal workforce, sometimes with mandates that conflict with local agency communication. How can federal workers stay on top of the policy deluge? Kevin Shehan, owner and founder of Shehan Legal and a former civil servant joins the show to discuss recent hot topics, from the 'five things' email to the firing of employees on probationary periods. And he ends the show with a bright spot - all of the changes today may end up enabling more federal workers to enter service in the long run, as the government shifts from a lifelong service model to technical and project sprints.

Federal workers are also invited to join ClearanceJobs' free federal forum Fedwork.net to trade advice, stories, and news articles.

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In the midst of massive restructuring across the federal government, federal workers may be wondering how to cope with the massive changes. Jill Hamilton, senior editor of ClearanceJobs joins the program to talk about the influx of news and changes. For federal workers in the national security space it's important to follow specific agency guidance and not get caught up in negative headlines.

For federal workers looking for another spot for water cooler talk, commentary, and job opportunities, ClearanceJobs recently launched FedWork.net. The federal forum had been in the works since Federal Soup shuddered its pages. The hope is it can be another resource, in addition to the many out there, to help federal workers.

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Virtualization and big data aren't new - but the government's use of these technologies in different ways largely is. Jared Shepard, President and CEO of Hypori comes on the show to discuss how the U.S. government and industry are both working together to make their security posture stronger - and more accessible. He also discusses his nonprofit Warriors Ethos.

In the second half of the show Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs discuss the modern job search process - and the pros and cons of the controversial trend of comparing your job search to online dating.

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