Original Broadcast Date: 10/11/2026
Sponsored by Commvault & Carahsoft
Federal agencies are racing to modernize their technology, strengthen cybersecurity and improve mission readiness. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, leaders from Commvault, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Government Accountability Office discuss how government organizations are adapting to emerging threats while addressing longstanding operational challenges.
Richard Breakiron, Senior Strategist for Programs and Cybersecurity for the Federal Sector at Commvault, says federal agencies cannot afford to overlook the fundamentals as they adopt artificial intelligence and increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity tools.
Breakiron points to recent discussions at the Billington CyberSecurity Summit, where DISA Director Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton emphasizes the importance of cyber hygiene, data hygiene and foundational cybersecurity practices.
While AI can help agencies process information and respond to threats faster, Breakiron argues that technology alone cannot deliver meaningful improvements.
He identifies people, processes and technology as three essential components of successful modernization. Without trained professionals and scalable processes, agencies risk introducing powerful new capabilities without the operational foundation needed to use them effectively.
Breakiron also discusses how AI can improve the military's observe, orient, decide and act decision-making cycle. He argues that the technology's greatest value comes from helping organizations turn information into decisions and actions.
For Breakiron, AI is less about artificial intelligence and more about "actionable insight."
Joshua Flowers, Executive Assistant Director of Operational Technology and Cyber Innovation at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, says the growing volume of digital evidence is changing how NCIS conducts criminal and counterintelligence investigations.
Flowers explains that investigations increasingly involve enormous amounts of digital information, creating demand for analytical tools that help agents and analysts process evidence efficiently.
NCIS is working to provide its workforce with technologies that accelerate investigations while maintaining the standards required for criminal prosecution.
Artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities, but Flowers emphasizes that human involvement remains essential. Investigators must understand how evidence is collected and processed and be prepared to explain their work in court.
Flowers also discusses how traditional counterintelligence techniques are being adapted to the cyber domain.
As threats evolve, NCIS is looking for innovative employees who can think creatively, adopt emerging technologies and support Navy and Marine Corps missions around the world.
Shelby Oakley, Director of Contracting and National Security Acquisitions at the Government Accountability Office, says the Navy is reconsidering its approach to shipbuilding after years of schedule delays and cost overruns.
Oakley discusses emerging acquisition strategies, including the use of existing ship designs and third-party construction management.
She says successful shipbuilding programs begin with realistic expectations about costs, schedules, designs and supplier capabilities.
Rather than rushing into construction before major risks are understood, Oakley argues that the Navy can learn from leading commercial shipbuilders that establish executable plans before committing to production.
She also examines the Coast Guard's purchase of the commercial icebreaker Storis, highlighting the risks of acquiring vessels before fully understanding the modifications required to meet operational needs.
Oakley says rebuilding America's shipbuilding industrial base is essential to achieving the Navy's long-term fleet goals.
Together, the conversations highlight a common challenge across government: adopting new capabilities while ensuring agencies have the workforce, processes and infrastructure needed to deliver results.