I had a similar reaction to you but disagree with you on a few: >> 13. Speaking at conferences is tightly controlled > What? Are you talking about OPSEC proce

I had a similar reaction to you but disagree with you on a few: >> 13. Speaking at conferences is tightly controlled > What? Are you talking about OPSEC procedures or travel limitations or what exactly? I spent a good deal of time working for the US Feds and it wasn't just travel limitations. Due to the fact that we couldn't accept "gifts," I wasn't able to accept the speaker package (flight+hotel) that was offered to every speaker so my supervisor could make the budget argument. >> 16. You measure your hiring process in months > Your freaky fast startup is what...5..100 employees? Come on, an agency (while can be small) is part of something much much larger. Also many agencies require a full background check and/or security clearance. This is a straw man. Many agencies require a full background check for no particular reason. Further, a fingerprint check with IAFIS and even a National Agency Check can be done in a matter of days. Regardless, to hire people in a field in demand, months is ridiculous. And it's not just the length of the process but the lack of information. The last time I was working for the Feds, I applied for a new position and waited ~30 days until they acknowledged the application, another ~30 days for the first call, a couple weeks for the first interview, and then another ~30 days for the followup. In the meantime, I joined a company and was deep into my first project.