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 potential within the workforce.

Max explores the value of reskilling and upskilling programs, sharing insights on how agencies can turn individuals with diverse backgrounds into cyber professionals. He also discusses how agencies can not only fill cyber roles but retain this talent by fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment.

Key Topics Include:

• The role of inclusive cyber training programs in addressing the skills gap
• The power of reskilling programs and how to successfully transition employees into cyber roles
• Strategies for retaining cybersecurity talent once agencies have filled the roles

If you're interested in the future of cybersecurity workforce development, this episode is a must-listen!

Max Shuftan leads mission programs and partnerships at SANS Institute. In this role, he manages strategic partnerships for SANS and oversees an organization focused on (1) growing the global cybersecurity talent pipeline, and (2) fostering a stronger cyber workforce through partnerships that expand targeted reskilling and upskilling efforts.

SANS Institute: Launched in 1989 as a cooperative for information security thought leadership, it is SANS’ ongoing mission to empower cyber security professionals with the practical skills and knowledge they need to make our world a safer place. We fuel this effort with high-quality training, certifications, scholarship academies, degree programs, cyber ranges, and resources to meet the needs of every cyber professional. Our data, research, and the top minds in cybersecurity collectively ensure that individuals and organizations have the actionable education and support they need.

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 nation-states and the increasing sophistication of their attacks—especially with the rise of social engineering, phishing, and AI-powered threats. Tune in as he explores the most pressing cyber threats agencies should be preparing for and the steps they can take to protect vital systems.

Key Topics Include:

• Emerging nation-state cyber threat actors to watch
• Top attack methods and priority targets for nation-states
• How agencies can bolster defenses against the surge in cybercrime from these actors

Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of cybersecurity for government agencies, and how to stay one step ahead of the next wave of cyber threats.

Jim Coyle serves as the US Public Sector CTO at Lookout, drawing upon two decades of hands-on experience in cybersecurity to assist government agencies in fortifying their defenses. Jim is a cyber security industry thought leader, delving into geopolitical cyber issues, emerging threats, defense tactics, and industry developments, offering valuable insights cultivated throughout his career.

Lookout, Inc. is the data-centric cloud security company that uses a defense-in-depth strategy to address the different stages of a modern cybersecurity attack, which now starts with mobile. Data is at the core of every organization, and our approach to cybersecurity is designed to protect that data within today’s evolving threat landscape no matter where or how it moves. People — and human behavior — are central to the challenge of protecting data, which is why organizations need total visibility into threats in real time, starting with the mobile endpoint.

The Lookout Cloud Security Platform is purpose-built to stop modern breaches as swiftly as they unfold, from the first mobile phishing text to the final cloud data extraction. We are trusted by enterprises and government agencies of all sizes to protect the sensitive data they care about most, enabling them to work and connect freely and securely.

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 cannot address all the security needs for agencies working with highly classified data.

Tune in as George discusses the importance of integrating cross-domain solutions alongside zero trust for comprehensive protection, especially for government agencies like the Department of Defense.

Key Topics Include:

• Misconceptions about zero trust in government agencies
• The value of cross-domain solutions in a zero trust environment
• Challenges agencies face when integrating cross-domain solutions and actionable steps to overcome them

Whether you're in the cybersecurity field or simply interested in the future of government network security, this episode is a must-listen!

George Kamis is Everfox’s Chief Technology Officer. In this capacity, George works closely with Information Assurance industry leaders, government executives, and the executive management team to help guide their long-term technology strategy and keep it aligned with federal and industry requirements.

George brings more than 25 years of experience in Cyber and Cross Domain Solutions and has helped lead Everfox to the forefront of Cyber and Cross Domain product development.

George holds a degree in Electrical Engineering with honors from West Virginia University and holds active membership at Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA).

Everfox, formerly Forcepoint Federal, has been defending the world’s most critical data and networks against the most complex cyber threats imaginable for more than 25 years. As trailblazers in defense-grade, high-assurance cybersecurity, Everfox has led the way in delivering and developing innovative cybersecurity technology. Headquartered in Herndon, VA, Everfox’s suite of cross-domain, threat protection, and insider risk solutions empower governments and enterprise organizations to use data safely - wherever and however their people need it.

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 on leadership and helping others excel in their careers. He discusses how empowering people and fostering growth has become one of his greatest sources of joy.

Looking to the future, Robert explores how rapidly evolving technologies, especially AI, are reshaping the IT landscape and how he plans to stay at the forefront of this revolution to benefit Veterans and the VA.

Finally, Robert shares valuable leadership advice for others aspiring to make a difference in the IT industry.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leadership, technology, and making a meaningful impact!

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 role in the program's success, and the strategies behind creating truly disruptive solutions.

In this episode, Matt also discusses what it takes to drive sustainable innovation in the GovCon sector and gives us a sneak peek at what’s next for his program.

Tune in for an inside look at how technology is changing the game in government contracting and what we can expect to see in the future.

Matt Quinn is the Science Director for the Army’s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and leads efforts by TATRC’s research & development teams to automate casualty care by fusing data, humans, and machines.

For over 20 years Matt has been deeply involved in advancing health technology in the public and private sectors in key roles such as Senior Advisor for Health Technology at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Managing Director for Healthcare & Life Sciences at Intel Corporation, Director of Healthcare Initiatives at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Healthcare Industry Manager for Teradata.

At the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Matt led a research agenda that resulted in “safety-enhanced design” certification requirements for electronic health records. Mr. Quinn has been called to testify before both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, been inducted in the FORUM100 Hall of Fame, received the HHS Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor granted by the department, the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for his work in launching the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN) and the first ever National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved "Champion of Diversity" award.

Matt began his career as an Army Engineer Officer and earned an engineering degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Colorado State University.

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 impact
• How workforce reductions are affecting businesses and how to safeguard cash flow
• Which sectors are experiencing growth, and which are at risk
• The latest on cybersecurity, CMMC challenges, and IT modernization
• How new regulations are reshaping the competitive landscape for contractors

Tris also shares his forecast for the future of federal contracting and offers some unexpected advice that could give your company the edge it needs in a changing environment. If you’re in the federal contracting space, this episode is packed with the strategies and insights you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Tune in now for expert analysis and actionable advice!

Tris Carpenter, General Manager, Strategic Growth, Red Team Consulting

Tris Carpenter serves as Red Team's General Manager for Strategic Growth and in-house expert on all things related. Pulling from over 24 years of experience as a senior executive and advisory consultant, Tris works with our clients to build targeted solutions to cultivate new business across major government agencies and diverse commercial markets. Tris' primary focus is advising and guiding clients looking to grow in the DOD, Intel, and Federal Civilian market areas.

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 the innovative work being done at the Air Force Research Laboratory. She also discusses her vision for the future of technology in defense and research, highlighting the evolving role of digital capabilities in shaping national security and innovation.

To wrap up, Alexis offers valuable advice for emerging leaders looking to make a lasting impact in the IT industry. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on leadership, innovation, and the future of tech in the defense sector.

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 operational needs.

Felipe discusses the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing cybersecurity frameworks, and how agencies can enforce zero trust principles in multi-cloud environments. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of federal cybersecurity and how agencies can strengthen their defenses moving forward.

If you're involved in federal cybersecurity or interested in the future of zero trust, this episode is a must-listen!