The Government Technology Insider Podcast

<p>​At the end of last year,<strong> </strong>the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) released new <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://www.ivanti.com/blog/android-16-ios-26-stigs-mobile-threat-defense">Android 16 and iOS 26 Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)</a> designed to provide military organizations with the guidance they need to better secure their mobile endpoints against modern adversaries. </p><p>​ </p><p>​One of the most significant new requirements in the latest Android and Apple STIGS is for all managed mobile devices to have a <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/resource/managing-and-securing-dods-global-device-fleet-with-ivanti-neurons-mdm-and-mtd/">mobile threat defense (MTD) solution</a> deployed to remain compliant – a major undertaking for an organization with hundreds of thousands of mobile endpoints. </p><p>​ </p><p>​In this episode of the <em>Government Technology Insider Podcast</em>, host, Matt Langan, is joined by Farhan Saifudin of <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://www.ivanti.com/">Ivanti</a>, and Alex Froede of <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://www.disa.mil/">DISA</a> to define STIGs, explain their importance for mobile device security, and discuss the new STIG changes and how they’ll impact military organizations. </p><p>​ </p><p>​Farhan Saifudin, is Ivanti's sales engineer manager for the public sector. Alex Froede, a senior mobile cybersecurity architect and principal author of DISA’s mobile technology STIGs at the DISA Cyber Standards and Analysis Branch, also known as the DISA STIG Office. </p><p>​ </p><p>​During their detailed discussion on the changes to Apple and Android device STIGS, they explore the current threat landscape for mobile devices in the U.S. DoD explain why MTD solutions are necessary in today's threat environment, provide <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/six-enterprise-mdm-considerations-for-the-department-of-defense/">considerations for DoD decision-makers</a> looking to choose an MTD solution, and the importance of marrying an MTD solution to a <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW175964295 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/resource/streamlining-dod-mobility/">mobile device management (MDM) solution</a>. </p>

<p>​In today’s highly volatile geopolitical environment, being able to communicate and operate securely is a vital strategic advantage for the warfighter and command. With multivariant threats targeted at United States assets at the core and the edge, on land, in space, and at sea, investment in robust and resilient <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW46640229 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/as-the-electromagnetic-spectrum-heats-up-modern-scifs-deliver-a-strategic-advantage/">secure facilities</a> has never been more important. The challenges of balancing effective communication with secure operations will surely be top of mind at the <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW46640229 BCX0" href="https://www.afcearockymtn.org/event-details-registration/rocky-mountain-cyberspace-symposium-2026-rmcs26">Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium 2026</a>, taking place this week in Colorado. </p><p>​In this episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, we invited Michael Montgomery, who leads Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions and is President of Chenega Worldwide Support, and Jeff Kronewitter, Director of Strategic Solutions at Chenega MIOS, to <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW46640229 BCX0" href="https://chenegamios.com/advancing-cyber-readiness-and-mission-infrastructure-chenega-mios-at-rmcs26/?utm_source=GTI&amp;utm_medium=Podcast&amp;utm_campaign=Secure+Facilities">discuss best practices</a> in building a secure operations and communications environments in an era of disruption. </p>

<p>​Modernizing the technology that supports government services is a primary way state agencies are working to deliver services more efficiently and meet constituent demand. But while implementing new technology is a significant milestone, the challenge of ensuring that systems are capable of delivering on the mission <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW101764584 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/celebrate-innovate-elevate-exploring-unemployment-insurances-past-present-and-future-at-the-2024-naswa-summit/">extends far beyond launch day</a>. A perpetually adaptive system—and a mindset to match—are critical to keep systems functional and relevant. </p><p>​In our <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW101764584 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/the-four-keys-to-kansass-award-winning-unemployment-insurance-transformation/">previous podcast,</a> Amber Shultz, Kansas’s Secretary of Labor, shared the four keys to successfully delivering a <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW101764584 BCX0" href="https://www.nascio.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KS_Digital-Experience-Agency-Solutions.pdf">complex digital transformation project</a>. In today’s episode, we welcome Secretary Shultz back to share her insights on ensuring that the new unemployment insurance system in Kansas can adapt to user needs, evolving policies, and ever-changing technology. </p>

<p><strong>​​</strong>Today, technology is a critical part of delivering state services like <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW67081687 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/solving-unemployment-insurance-challenges-so-states-can-build-resilient-accessible-programs/">unemployment insurance</a>, but many states still rely on decades-old systems that struggle to meet demand. Like many agencies, the <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW67081687 BCX0" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kdol/posts/?feedView=all">Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL)</a> reached a turning point when <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW67081687 BCX0" href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/ui-claims/20202020.pdf">unemployment claims surged</a> at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legacy system, created in the 1970s, was unable to support the volume of claims and calls, causing delays in service and overburdening state staff. KDOL needed to not only stabilize its current unemployment insurance system but modernize it so it could become more agile and perpetually adaptive. </p><p>​In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, guest host Monica Mayk spoke with Amber Shultz, Secretary of Labor for the State of Kansas, about the state’s unemployment insurance modernization program. The <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW67081687 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/kansas-delivers-vital-public-services-with-an-agile-adaptable-unemployment-insurance-system/">landmark transformation</a>, which now enables the state to better support Kansans during critical and vulnerable times, was honored with a <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW67081687 BCX0" href="https://www.nascio.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KS_Digital-Experience-Agency-Solutions.pdf">2025 State IT Recognition Award</a> for Digital Experience: Agency and Program Solutions by the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO). Secretary Shultz shares the story of KDOL’s transformation effort, the outcomes for constituents and state staff, and the four key factors that led her department to success. </p>

<p>The potential for data to <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW40519162 BCX0" href="https://www.govconwire.com/articles/government-tech-leaders-say-data-is-the-new-oil">power government systems</a> and transform service delivery has made maximizing the value of their data a top priority for many state agencies. But states still struggle to <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW40519162 BCX0" href="https://insider.govtech.com/texas/sponsored/navigating-the-sea-of-government-data-integration">transform raw data into actionable insights</a> that can drive economic growth and social benefits. Solving this conundrum may depend on <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW40519162 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/the-21st-century-labor-exchange-is-built-on-ai-and-data-sharing/">data sharing</a>: pooling information and insights among state agencies to optimize resources and support staff and citizens. </p><p>In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="Hyperlink SCXW40519162 BCX0" href="https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/celebrate-innovate-elevate-exploring-unemployment-insurances-past-present-and-future-at-the-2024-naswa-summit/">guest host Dale Smith</a>, Director of Labor and Workforce at TCS – Tata Consultancy Services, speaks with Rick Maher, CEO of Adaptive Human Capital, about how state agencies can become data sharing organizations and put that data to use for constituents. </p>