PAE delivers keynote at AFCEA conference

A senior Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency official used a keynote appearance at AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days in Alexandria, Va., to press for deeper, faster collaboration with contractors on technology, threat intelligence and policy shaping to speed investigations and build a more resilient national security workforce.

Robert Schadey, the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Trusted Innovation at DCSA, told attendees from government, industry, the military and academia that the agency’s transformation depends on industry’s partnership. “You are at the heart of this national endeavor. You are the engine of innovation and DCSA exists for one primary reason: to enable your success,” he said.

Schadey outlined five areas where the agency wants to work directly with companies:

– Joint development of AI and analytics: He urged co-creation of machine learning tools using real operational data, with an emphasis on rapid prototyping and cybersecurity-compliant solutions that can be validated and scaled across the defense industrial base. “We want rapid prototyping, updating analytics tools using real operational data,” Schadey explained. “In order to tap into that real operational data, it’s going to be important to have your cybersecurity-compliant tools and solutions. We want to create a pathway for tools to be tested, validated and potentially adopted at scale across the defense industrial base.”

– Two-way threat intelligence sharing: DCSA is building a framework to move beyond one-directional alerts and establish continuous, bi-directional exchange of cyber indicators, insider-threat trends and supply chain risks. The model has been piloted with Lockheed Martin. “When we share data with you, you can act. But the reverse is equally true. When you share threat indicators with us, we can connect the dots that matter and provide that back to you, so you’re not just seeing it alone, or we’re not just seeing it alone.”

– User-centered design for new systems: The agency wants security officers and other end users from companies embedded in the design and testing of platforms such as Trusted Workforce 2.0, to ensure updates match operational realities before deployment.

– Streamlined engagement for small and non-traditional firms: DCSA plans lighter-touch initial security assessments, quicker clearances for specialized roles and dedicated support tailored to startups and other emerging partners. “Some of our most promising innovation is coming from companies that don’t traditionally engage with government security frameworks,” said Schadey. “They build fast, they think differently, and they are exactly the kind of partners we need.”

– Policy co-creation: The agency is seeking structured feedback through industry forums to focus requirements on measures that deliver meaningful security outcomes and reduce administrative burden.

Schadey framed the shift as a break from legacy, checklist-driven oversight toward a shared-risk, insight-led model. “For too long, the relationship between government security agencies and industry has been characterized by static, compliance-based processes. A relationship of gatekeepers and applicants, of checklists and audits. That model is failing us—and more importantly, it’s failing the warfighter,” he said. “It is too slow, too predictable, and it fails to leverage the most powerful tool we have: our collective knowledge and in many cases just pure common sense.”

He acknowledged persistent pain points such as clearance delays and limited data access and pledged to remove bottlenecks. “We cannot be a roadblock. We must be a strategic advantage,” said Schadey. “DCSA’s renewed vision is to illuminate national security risk and empower faster, smarter decision-making to protect American innovation and resilience.”

The AFCEA Belvoir gathering, held May 5–7, focused on how government and industry can accelerate capability delivery as acquisition structures evolve. Schadey closed by inviting companies to help redesign processes and tools at the outset—particularly firms with strong AI capabilities and niche analytics expertise. “By partnering on these five key areas, industry can help DCSA deliver faster, more secure investigations and build a truly trusted workforce for the nation,” said Schadey.