Digital Government
A Cyber Challenge for DHS
Computerworld <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138998/DHS_faces_challenge_in_hiring_1_000_security_experts">reports</a> that the Homeland Security Department's efforts to hire some 1,000 new cybersecurity experts could be stalled due to a lack of specialized skills as well as competition with other agencies and the private sector. DHS has a critical need for security professionals to handle tasks like intrusion analysis, malware reverse engineering, security auditing, secure code analysis, penetration testing and forensics, but the problem is there aren't enough security professionals to meet those needs, the article states. Experts also say that DHS must first address the relatively high rates of turnover within its mid- and upper-level cyber workforce, particularly at its National Cyber Security Division.
Digital Government
Panel recommends improvements to E-Verify
A panel of experts recommends improving the E-Verify electronic employment verification system to reduce false reports and to use it in immigration reform efforts.
Digital Government
GSA, DISA want advice on buying commercial satellite services
GSA and DISA are seeking input from industry for a joint acquisition program that they plan to establish to meet civilian and defense agencies' needs for satellite services.
Digital Government
States urged to create data catalogs
State and local governments should ramp up efforts to become more transparent, organization contends.
Digital Government
Shuttering of intel e-mail draws concern for other collaboration tools
Intelligence office assures users it will replace the system with a more secure one, and other social networking tools will continue to operate.
Digital Government
Critics: National Archives lax in records management enforcement
Some document specialists and open government advocates say agencies' challenges with storing and retrieving e-records are due to a lack of policing, not an absence of rules.
Digital Government
U.S. behind foreign competitors in manufacturing green technologies
Specialists call for the government to invest in and provide tax incentives to American companies to reverse a $9 billion trade deficit and create jobs.
Digital Government
131,000 Homeless Vets
That's the <a href=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1795>stark and depressing news</a> the Veterans Affairs Department released on Tuesday, while VA said the goods news is that the number is down 15 percent from last year.
Digital Government
DHS Automates Hiring Processes
Wired Workplace spoke with Jeffrey Neal, chief human capital officer at the Homeland Security Department, on Monday about the agency's <a href="http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2009/09/dhs_launches_web-based_hr_tool.php">new IT platform</a> that simplifies and accelerates its recruiting and hiring activities. The tool, called TalentLink, uses electronic routing and approvals, automates the rating and ranking process, standardizes vacancy announcements using plain language, and facilitates communication with applicants. The tool also eliminates the knowledge, skills and abilities questions traditionally found on federal applications, allowing DHS applicants to simply submit a resume, Neal said.
Digital Government
Tweeting While You Work
A new survey by Robert Half Technology shows that the government is not alone in its concerns about employee access to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter while on the job. The <a href="http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/PressRoom?pressRelease_5.request_type=RenderPressRelease&pressRelease_5.releaseId=2531">survey</a> of more than 1,400 chief information officers found that more than half (54 percent) of companies do not allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason at work.
Digital Government
Government breaks small-business goals with stimulus funds
As of Oct. 2, the government overall has awarded 26 percent of the economic stimulus law's funds to contracts for small businesses, an estimated $4 billion.
Digital Government
Army establishes new program office for technology modernization
Program Executive Office Integration will support warfighter technology modernization — and current and future acquisitions — under the restructuring of the Future Combat Systems program.
Digital Government
Congress once again not doing its most important job
In all but three of the last 30 years, Congress has failed to pass a budget to fund the federal government by the beginning of its new fiscal year. But, no surprise, Congress never fails to fund itself.
Digital Government