The Government Technology Insider Podcast

Trust, Security, and Procurement: Deploying AI the Federal Way

As federal agencies continue to invest in, and deploy, AI solutions, the physical infrastructure needed to support mission-enabling use cases is top of mind for agency leaders. But the way these solutions will be acquired, implemented, and used significantly impacts the design of AI systems. Trust, security [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/technology-innovation-cybersecurity-and-knowledge-management-the-four-essentials-for-todays-federal-government-it-leaders/], and procurement all play a role in the value agencies get from AI and therefore must be considered from the onset. In part one of our podcast series, Michael Montgomery, President of Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, explained how federal agencies can power and cool the systems enabling AI use cases and capabilities. In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, we take a deeper dive into the operational challenges agencies need to keep in mind as they invest in AI.

AI In Federal Buildings: From Static Schedules to Predictive Operations

The increasing presence of AI in federal buildings is reshaping how the federal government works. From predictive AI that solves previously intractable challenges, enables digital twinning [https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2024/07/ai-enabled-digital-twins-are-transforming-government-critical-infrastructure/], and supports decision-advantage and operational superiority on the battlefield to generative AI that enables vital service delivery improvements, AI is the focus of federal agency investments [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/five-effective-ai-tips-for-federal-agencies-to-drive-real-mission-impact-in-2026/]. While there is little doubt about the value that AI can deliver to federal agencies, there are some very practical obstacles standing in the way. Before they can reap the benefits, agencies must confront the challenges of powering the vast AI infrastructures they are building and cooling the racks of servers that form the backbone of an AI-powered federal government. In this two-part series on the Government Technology Insider Podcast, we invited Michael Montgomery [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/as-the-electromagnetic-spectrum-heats-up-modern-scifs-deliver-a-strategic-advantage/], President of Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, to discuss how federal facilities managers and their teams are addressing these mission-critical challenges, as well as the ubiquitous power and cooling issues [https://fedtechmagazine.com/article/2026/03/ai-causing-power-and-cooling-headache-agencies] that agencies will encounter as they move into the AI age.

DISA’s New Mobile Device STIGs: Experts Explain the Importance of MTD for Securing Military Endpoints

At the end of last year, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) released new Android 16 and iOS 26 Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) [https://www.ivanti.com/blog/android-16-ios-26-stigs-mobile-threat-defense] designed to provide military organizations with the guidance they need to better secure their mobile endpoints against modern adversaries. One of the most significant new requirements in the latest Android and Apple STIGS is for all managed mobile devices to have a mobile threat defense (MTD) solution [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/resource/managing-and-securing-dods-global-device-fleet-with-ivanti-neurons-mdm-and-mtd/] deployed to remain compliant – a major undertaking for an organization with hundreds of thousands of mobile endpoints. In this episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, host, Matt Langan, is joined by Farhan Saifudin of Ivanti [https://www.ivanti.com/], and Alex Froede of DISA [https://www.disa.mil/] to define STIGs, explain their importance for mobile device security, and discuss the new STIG changes and how they’ll impact military organizations. 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. 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 considerations for DoD decision-makers [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/six-enterprise-mdm-considerations-for-the-department-of-defense/] looking to choose an MTD solution, and the importance of marrying an MTD solution to a mobile device management (MDM) solution [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/resource/streamlining-dod-mobility/].

Building Secure Operations and Communications Environments in an Era of Disruption

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 secure facilities [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/as-the-electromagnetic-spectrum-heats-up-modern-scifs-deliver-a-strategic-advantage/] has never been more important. The challenges of balancing effective communication with secure operations will surely be top of mind at the Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium 2026 [https://www.afcearockymtn.org/event-details-registration/rocky-mountain-cyberspace-symposium-2026-rmcs26], taking place this week in Colorado. 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 discuss best practices [https://chenegamios.com/advancing-cyber-readiness-and-mission-infrastructure-chenega-mios-at-rmcs26/?utm_source=GTI&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Secure+Facilities] in building a secure operations and communications environments in an era of disruption.

How the Kansas Department of Labor Created a Perpetually Adaptive Unemployment Insurance System

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 extends far beyond launch day [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/celebrate-innovate-elevate-exploring-unemployment-insurances-past-present-and-future-at-the-2024-naswa-summit/]. A perpetually adaptive system—and a mindset to match—are critical to keep systems functional and relevant. In our previous podcast, [https://governmenttechnologyinsider.com/the-four-keys-to-kansass-award-winning-unemployment-insurance-transformation/] Amber Shultz, Kansas’s Secretary of Labor, shared the four keys to successfully delivering a complex digital transformation project [https://www.nascio.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KS_Digital-Experience-Agency-Solutions.pdf]. 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.