People
The power of priorities, postponing DCGS-A and opening data in D.C.
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Cybersecurity
Former Navy secretary calls for minimalist approach to IT security
Richard Danzig argues that the U.S. government should "forsake some efficiencies" in the pursuit of security.
Modernization
iPhones Have a Major Security Hole That Apple Installed on Purpose
If you use an iPhone or iPad, your photos, web history, and GPS logs are vulnerable to theft and surveillance via back-door protocols running on all iOS devices.
Digital Government
IRS Seeks to Destroy More Hard Drives -- The Right Way This Time
Agency is also ‘refreshing employees’ awareness’ of existing policies, documents say.
People
GAO: Q&A with Gene Dodaro
Richard Cohen recently sat down with Gene Dodaro to discuss his experiences in working with the GAO.
Digital Government
NIST, NAS still assessing controversial airport scanners
Privacy concerns forced TSA to scrap its backscatter machines, but radiation levels -- and possible future uses -- are still being studied.
Cybersecurity
'History may be repeating itself' in cyberspace
On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 report's release, the men who guided the investigation are warning of new threats going unaddressed.
Cybersecurity
Evaluate Aspiring Cyberwarriors Using Gaming, Not Grades
Former Navy Secretary wonders why federal recruitment focuses on formal education, when computer security positions require on-the-job learning.
Emerging Tech
The Most Valuable Data on Earth?
That’s a pun. Here’s the White House plan for Earth data.
Cybersecurity
False Air Force One Crash Reported on Hijacked WSJ Facebook Page
Media // Social Media
Cybersecurity
Hackers Exploit MH17 Sorrow; Redirect Online Tributes to Malware
Fake Facebook pages set up for crash victims are driving traffic to pop-up ads on external sites.
Digital Government
New Surveillance Whistleblower: The NSA Violates the Constitution
A former Obama administration official calls attention to unaccountable mass surveillance conducted under a 1981 executive order.
Digital Government
Senate Bill Mandates Study of Nuclear-Arms Storage Sites
The legislation would require the Pentagon to study how to modernize facilities storing U.S. nuclear warheads.
Digital Government
Is There a Place for Google Glass in Hospitals?
Medical professionals say the device could be helpful, but patient privacy is still a concern.
Emerging Tech
NOAA Moves a Step Closer to More Accurate Weather Forecasts
The magnetometer is the fifth main instrument to fly aboard the first Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.
Cybersecurity
It's all about priorities, people
Cartoonist John Klossner reflects on cybersecurity and congressional oversight.
Modernization