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Description:
In this episode of the Reckless Compliance podcast, Max is joined by the CTO of Valid Eval, who shares the journey of achieving FedRAMP Ready status and securing an IATO from NASA. From early career work on advanced defense systems to building a SaaS platform that streamlines proposal evaluation for government agencies, this episode dives deep into the realities of navigating federal compliance. The conversation highlights strategic investments in Kubernetes and open-source frameworks, lessons learned from choosing the right FedRAMP path, and why owning your own ATO can be a game-changer for growth in the federal space. You'll also hear insights into how and why Valid Eval chose Ignyte as their audit partner.

Discussion Topics:

• Career path from defense systems to SaaS for government proposal evaluation
• What the platform does and how it enables structured, auditable group decision-making
• Why FedRAMP became a growth imperative and how readiness was achieved
• Technical architecture decisions: Kubernetes, Big Bang, and open-source frameworks
• Open-source vs. proprietary compliance platforms — key trade-offs for small companies
• Step-by-step strategy: from raw architecture to IATO and beyond
• Selecting an auditor: what mattered most and how the decision supported speed and success
• Why owning your own ATO unlocks long-term flexibility and risk mitigation

Max Aulakh Bio:
Max is the CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform and a Data Security and Compliance leader delivering DoD-tested security strategies and compliance that safeguard mission-critical IT operations. He has trained and excelled while working for the United States Air Force. He maintained and tested the InfoSec and ComSec functions of network hardware, software, and IT infrastructure for global unclassified and classified networks.

Connect with Max:
LinkedIn: Max Aulakh
Website: Ignyte Assurance Platform

Connect with the Guest:
LinkedIn: Jacob Ablowitz