Digital Government

St. Damien and the Bureaucrats

I spent eight out of 12 days of my Hawaii Christmas vacation on the island of Molokai and decided it made sense to read a biography of <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien>St. Damien</a>, the Belgian priest who volunteered to care for lepers banned to that island.

Digital Government

State Pledges Support for Cyber Training

A <a href="http://issuu.com/cybermaryland/docs/cyberreport">report</a> released on Monday by the Maryland state government seeks to put the state at the center of the federal government's cybersecurity efforts. The report cites the presence of several federal agencies including the National Institute for Standards and Technology and the National Security Agency, as reasons why Maryland is the national leader in security the country's critical cyber infrastructures.

Digital Government

Senior lawmaker urges diligence on aviation screening technology

After the failed attempt to detonate a bomb aboard a commercial airliner, Rep. Bennie Thompson says information sharing and aviation security technologies demand immediate attention.

Digital Government

HHS panel to give fresh spin to federal health IT strategy

The stimulus law requires the Health and Human Services Department to revise the plan to show how health IT will be used to improve care quality, reduce errors, improve public health and address special needs.

Digital Government

Stimulus data needs context so public can understand spending effects

Study urges agencies that award contracts to put their projects into perspective on the Web so the public can easily and objectively discern the results of the economic program.

Digital Government

Google CEO joins speakers at Dem retreat

Schmidt will join Obama, Clinton at event.

Digital Government

Complex Risks

With the first decade of this century behind us, federal managers face a daunting world ahead.

Digital Government

Here Comes the Navy Cyber Forces

The Navy plans to stand up its new cyber outfit, Navy Cyber Forces, at the Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek - Fort Story in Virginia on jan. 26. It will ultimately have some 40,000 cyber warriors under its command, I'm told.

Digital Government

Blurring the Work-Life Line

A new survey by Forrester Research shows that American workers not only support the concept of telework, but also want smartphones to help them stay even better connected to work e-mail and documents as well as co-workers, ComputerWorld <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9143034/Smartphones_Office_shackles_or_tool_for_work_life_balance_">reports</a>. In fact, many workers are willing to foot all or part of the bill for such access, the survey found.

Digital Government

Mini Generation Gaps

<em>The New York Times</em> has an interesting <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/weekinreview/10stone.html?pagewanted=2">article</a> on how the ever-accelerating pace of technological change may be creating a series of mini-generation gaps. In fact, recent studies have shown that 16- to 18-year-olds are able to perform seven tasks, on average, in their free time, like texting, sending instant messages and checking Facebook while sitting in front of the television. People in their early 20s can handle only six tasks, and those in their 30s can perform about five and a half, the research found. The heightened ability to multitask has created concerns that younger generations may not be able to focus in school or in the workplace.

Digital Government

Virtual directory serves as DOD's 'white pages'

Implementation of a Defense Department-wide virtual directory, already some 4 million listings strong, requires unity of effort across DOD.

Digital Government

HHS rules on electronic health records have broad impact

Panelists dissected the new HHS proposed rules for distributing $17 billion in incentive payments for health IT systems under the economic stimulus law.

Digital Government

South Korean military bans USB flash drives

In the wake of recent hacking attempts, the South Korean military plans to ban portable flash drives, according to reports.