Episode Overview

Title: CBP ramps up surveillance tech without much-needed IT personnel
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell
Podcast: The Daily Scoop Podcast (FedScoop)

This episode investigates the pressing challenges U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) faces as it expands surveillance technology along the northern border — without adequate IT personnel to support these initiatives. The show also covers recent leadership changes in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) IT and AI offices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CBP’s Northern Border Surveillance Technology Expansion

Time: 00:15–02:05

• Significant Increase in Surveillance Tech: Over the past five years, CBP has ramped up deployment of surveillance technology along the northern border, responding to growing security needs.
• Critical IT Staffing Shortages: Despite technology expansions, the staffing rate for CBP Information Systems Specialists has remained below target for over five years—and the gap has grown since 2023.
• Cited Causes of Roadblocks:
  • Low pay scales that hinder recruitment.
  • Lengthy and cumbersome background checks.
  • A limited pool of local applicants.
  • High cost of living in target areas.
  • Minimal opportunities for career advancement, driving attrition.

“CBP officials pointed to low pay, a lengthy background investigation process, a limited local applicant pool, high cost of living and minimal career advancement opportunities as drivers of attrition and the inability to fill open positions.”
— Billy Mitchell [01:04]

• No Strategic Staffing Plan: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit (April 2024–February 2026) highlighted that CBP lacks any formal strategy to address this critical staffing shortage.

“In examining CBP's northern border facilities, the watchdog found that CBP did not have a strategy to address the critical staffing gap.”
— Billy Mitchell [01:31]

• Implications for Border Technology Effectiveness:
  • A senior CBP official acknowledged that Information Systems Specialists often leave “to look for better career opportunities.”
  • GAO asserts that failing to develop a recruitment and retention plan endangers effective surveillance and border security.

2. Technical and Operational Hurdles Facing CBP

Time: 02:06–02:54

• Equipment Limitations: Automated sensors and other tech are not built for harsh, cold weather conditions—keys for the northern border’s climate.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Patchy communications infrastructure hampers both tech deployment and real-time data sharing.
• Internal Coordination Flaws:
  • Challenges in data/information sharing across border facilities and law enforcement agencies are limiting operational effectiveness.

“CBP officials also cited challenges with information and data sharing across facilities and other law enforcement agencies as another hindrance, limiting their operations.”
— Billy Mitchell [02:46]

3. HHS IT and AI Office Leadership Changes

Time: 02:55–04:18

• Key Personnel Updates:
  • David Hong named acting Deputy CIO, and Armand Sharma as acting Deputy Chief AI Officer.
  • Kevin Duvall, previously holding both deputy roles, is no longer listed in either position as of the recent website update (Feb 2 archive confirms past roles).
  • Michael McFarland now listed as acting executive officer in the CIO’s office.
  • Of 10 leadership listings, 7 are currently filled by acting officials.

“The changes mean that of the 10 roles listed on the page, seven of them have an acting rather than permanent official serving in them.”
— Billy Mitchell [04:14]

• Context and Uncertainty:
  • The shake-up follows reports of top aides to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leaving prior to midterm elections, with no public link to IT leadership changes.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On persistent IT hiring challenges at CBP:

  “The staffing rate for information systems specialists has remained below target levels for half a decade, but that gap has widened since 2023.”
  — Billy Mitchell [00:34]

• On the lack of planning for IT staffing:

  “Developing a plan with strategies to improve the recruitment and retention of law enforcement information systems specialists would help Border Patrol ensure that IT has sufficient personnel with appropriate skills to effectively use northern border surveillance technology.”
  — Billy Mitchell [01:55]

• On federal leadership fluidity at HHS:

  “It is not clear if the IT leadership changes were for similar reasons. While there is no public indication of when Hong and Sharma began serving as acting deputies, the changes appear to have been made recently.”
  — Billy Mitchell [03:42]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15–02:05: CBP’s surveillance tech deployment and IT staffing crisis
• 02:06–02:54: Technical/infrastructure challenges at northern border
• 02:55–04:18: Recent HHS IT and AI leadership changes and context

Tone & Language

The host’s language is clear, neutral, and factual—designed for a professional government and technology audience. Mitchell balances reporting with concise analysis, maintaining the authoritative tone expected for federal leadership news.

For ongoing coverage of federal technology trends, the host directs listeners to visit fedscoop.com.