The Government Technology Insider Podcast

by Government Technology Insider

Welcome to the Government Technology Insider Podcast. Join us as we explore the intersection where innovation meets the mission. Our guests will explain the strategies, challenges, and successes government agencies experience as they adopt cutting-edge technologies.

In each episode, we'll bring you engaging interviews with industry leaders, and technology experts who are at the forefront of helping government IT lead ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • The Promise of a Digital-First Government

    The Promise of a Digital-First Government

    S02 E04
    Mar 18, 2025
    19:01

    In this episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast Lucas Hunsicker hosts a dynamic conversation with Granicus’s Charlotte Lee, Director of Growth Strategy, and Luke Norris, Vice President of Platform Strategy and Digital Transformation, to explore the impact of a digital-first approach to government. For decades, governments have relied heavily on paper-based systems for tasks ranging from record-keeping to correspondence. This dependence adds unnecessary costs—estimated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported at nearly $40 billion annually for the federal government—while hindering efficiency and transparency. In the push for digital transformation across the government, digital-first strategies are a winning solution. Lee and Norris share real-world examples of how shifting to digital processes not only enhances key government operations but also aligns with the way society functions today. People expect the same level of convenience from government services as they do from food delivery services or online interactions—immediate, seamless, and accessible. At the same time, this shift eliminates inefficiencies by digitizing records, automating workflows, and integrating cloud-based systems, streamlining operations and reducing waste while saving money. A digital-first approach also strengthens transparency and accountability by enabling real-time data collection, improving spending oversight, and reducing the risk of fraud. Of course, transitioning to a digital-first government isn’t without challenges. Investing in the right technology, training staff, and fostering a culture of digital adoption all require time and effort. However, the long-term benefits—including cost savings, improved service delivery, and user satisfaction—make the shift well worth it.

  • The Changing Landscape of IT Distribution in the Public Sector

    The Changing Landscape of IT Distribution in the Public Sector

    S02 E03
    Jan 23, 2025
    12:38

    From hardware-focused supply chains to cloud-based service models, the distribution landscape has undergone significant changes. Over the past decade, the role of IT in government operations has evolved significantly and public sector IT distribution has adapted to meet these new demands and complexities. In the latest episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, host Lucas Hunsicker sat down with former public sector CEO, Art Richer. With decades of experience leading organizations through shifting market dynamics, Richer offered unique insights into the trends shaping government technology procurement and some of the key ingredients to creating successful partnerships in this space. Richer traced the evolution of public sector distribution back to its hardware-centric origins, where the focus was on logistics, breaking down pallets of computers, printers, and peripherals for resellers and end users. As software entered the scene, distribution models grew more complex, requiring tailored approaches to sales and support. Today, with the rise of cloud services, managed solutions, and as-a-Service solutions, distributors must pivot once more to align with new procurement and consumption trends. Throughout the conversation, Richer emphasized the growing sophistication of partnerships, the ongoing importance of compliance, and the benefits of both broadline and specialized distribution approaches. He emphasized the critical importance of aligning strategies with the unique requirements of public sector procurement and remaining agile in response to advancing technologies. Looking ahead, Richer identified two key trends that are poised to define the future of public sector IT distribution: the continued dominance of cloud and marketplace-based technology delivery and an increasing focus on compliance. With procurement regulations becoming more stringent, distributors must prioritize adherence to maintain trust and ensure long-term success. From the rise of cloud marketplaces to the increasing scrutiny around compliance, this discussion offers valuable perspectives for IT vendors, distributors, and public sector leaders navigating a rapidly shifting landscape.

  • The Crucial Role of FedRAMP Certification in the USG’s Digital Transformation

    The Crucial Role of FedRAMP Certification in the USG’s Digital Transformation

    S02 E02
    Jan 13, 2025
    12:56

    Established in 2011 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) was designed to “safely accelerate the adoption of cloud computing products and services by federal agencies.” By providing a consistent and reusable authorization process, FedRAMP enables agencies throughout the U.S. government (USG) to avoid duplicating efforts while prioritizing security and efficiency. As federal agencies face increasing pressure from Executive Orders and rising cyber threats, today FedRAMP certification has become a critical enabler of modernization. It allows agencies to adopt innovative solutions that meet stringent security standards without sacrificing agility. In the latest Government Technology Insider podcast, host Lucas Hunsaker sat down with James Imanian, Senior Director of the U.S. Federal Technology Office at CyberArk, to explore how FedRAMP-certified solutions are driving modernization and enhancing security in government environments.

  • Recapping the 2024 NASWA Summit, sharing key challenges, and identifying solutions

    Recapping the 2024 NASWA Summit, sharing key challenges, and identifying solutions

    S02 E01
    Dec 16, 2024
    15:58

    In this podcast Dale Smith of TCS will be talking with Andrew Stettner, who is the Director of the Office of Unemployment Insurance Modernization at the United States Department of Labor. Recently, Stettner attended the 2024 NASWA Summit and has joined us to discuss the current state of unemployment insurance and where state workforce agencies are going.

  • Season 1

  • Ep 141: How Observability Helps Federal Agencies Enhance Service Delivery and Navigate IT Challenges

    Ep 141: How Observability Helps Federal Agencies Enhance Service Delivery and Navigate IT Challenges

    S01 E141
    Nov 7, 2024
    12:09

    In our newest podcast, Scott DeViney, a business development executive at SolarWinds, explained that observability offers agencies a modern approach to updating their IT infrastructures by going beyond traditional monitoring. Unlike monitoring, which only tells you what is happening, observability provides insights into why an issue occurs, whether it is related to network activity, cloud infrastructure, or application code. For federal government agencies overseeing some of the world’s most intricate networks, this shift is especially valuable. Observability allows agencies to proactively identify issues before they become outages or security breaches by correlating data from across the IT environment. In the most recent episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, DeViney and host Lucas Hunsicker explore the challenges civilian agencies face when updating their IT infrastructure and how observability can provide much-needed solutions. Civilian agencies tasked with delivering secure and reliable digital services to the public often struggle with complicated infrastructure and aging legacy systems. The ongoing need to balance security, compliance, and efficiency puts a strain on resources and creates major operational hurdles. Some of the key challenges discussed included managing thousands of users spread across multiple regions, and the growing complexity of hybrid cloud environments. DeViney pointed out that observability is particularly helpful in handling these complexities because it allows IT teams to transition from reactive to proactive operations by interpreting and correlating vast amounts of data. This improved resource optimization helps to ensure compliance with constantly changing regulations and helps agencies maintain safe and efficient services. One interesting real-world example DeViney shared was how observability assisted an agency in identifying and resolving a configuration issue that had affected user experience. Although individual IT tools reported no issues, they were able to identify the root cause and promptly restore service quality by comparing performance metrics.