Digital Government

Senate's Technophobia Infects Health IT

Nextgov Editor at Large Bob Brewin reported on Thursday that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is going ahead with a conference to talk to contractors about a new $9 million program that will rely on social media, virtual worlds and other online apps to help soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. The Senate and the House Armed Services committee don't like the idea. They say DARPA doesn't have the expertise in health privacy law to properly protect the information.

Digital Government

The EZer VA Disability Claim Form

I'm told sometime in the past month the Office of Management and Budget approved a six-page claim form that veterans use to apply for disability benefits, replacing a 23-page application that was so complex that only a bureaucrat could comprehend it.

Digital Government

Military, other fed iPad users compromised in AT&T hack

Military and civilian agency iPad users were among the thousands whose data was exposed in a recent successful hack of AT&T's Web site.

Digital Government

Cyberattacks are biggest fear, survey shows

A survey of more than 250 government and industry IT professionals found that the majority of respondents believe cyberattacks are the top threat to U.S. national security. The findings differ from similar surveys of government and private-sector experts

Digital Government

Transitioning Out of NSPS

The Pentagon said Wednesday that it will temporarily cut pay raises in half for more than 11,000 civilian workers transitioning out of the derailed National Security Personnel System.

Digital Government

House moves to protect grid from cyber threats

The House has passed a bill that would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission additional powers to protect the U.S. power system from cyber-related threats.

Digital Government

More Jobs, Better Salaries for IT Pros

Nearly three-quarters of private sector technology recruiters and hiring managers expect to add more staff in the second half of 2010, with 30 percent saying salaries are increasing for new hires, according to a new report by Dice.com.

Digital Government

With possibility of no funding, Defense still moves on PTSD online project

Healing Heroes would use virtual worlds and online applications to educate veterans and their families on dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries and related issues such as substance abuse.

Digital Government

Financial systems modernization plan faces management challenges

Shorter project cycles could prove more complex and costly, analyst says.

Digital Government

Soundbytes: E2, Camo and Kevin Costner

A weekly roundup of comments from Nextgov.com. All comments are presented in their original, unedited form.

Digital Government

Army pulls back on enterprise e-mail initiative

The Army is putting on hold its plans to pursue an enterprise-wide e-mail system and calling an about-face on the project.

Digital Government

Help wanted: Twitter looks to hire a 'government liaison'

The microblogging company looks to hire its first DC employee to be "the closest point of contact with a variety of important people and organizations looking to get the most out of Twitter."

Digital Government

Former DARPA chief joins policy institute's board

Anthony Tether has joined the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' board of regents.

Digital Government

Docs Ask Feds to Slow IT Rollout

A swelling chorus of skeptics holds that the Obama administration's plan for digitizing the country's medical records is well-intentioned but unrealistic. Rules governing disbursement of incentive funds--valued at $34 billion and intended to promote adoption of new information technology by doctors and hospitals--are simply too stringent, they say.