Digital Government

Leahy leads another effort at patent reform

Reducing the backlog at the PTO has "broad" support, said Brian Pomper, executive director of Innovation Alliance, a group that includes technology firms such as Qualcomm.

People

Agencies can conduct background checks on contract employees, court rules

The Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the federal government is authorized to perform background checks of people who work under government contracts.

Cybersecurity

Administration given so-so grade on cybersecurity

Private research firm assigns Obama high marks for commitment to protection but lower scores for speed and follow-through in agency collaboration.

Digital Government

Pre-deployment health screening reduces behavioral problems, study shows

Service was required to implement such an assessment program 14 years ago.

Digital Government

Patent Office director touts agency's potential to stimulate economy

Easing the backlog in patent applications could help create jobs, says David Kappos.

Digital Government

Shipboard Wi-Fi

Ideas

NASA Has An App for That

Digital Government

IT Salaries Nearly Flat in 2010

Digital Government

Facebook exec says agencies not fully leveraging social media

About two-thirds of government agencies are using at least one social media tool, but some aren't getting the full benefits, a Facebook executive said today.

Acquisition

DOD struggles to count contractors, GAO reports

The Defense Department relies heavily on contractors, even to support core missions, a GAO report says. Officials worry about relying too much on contractors.

People

Army CIO nominee finally becomes clear

White House nomination is the next step in the confirmation process.

People

Federal furloughs: Would you check e-mail? Would you have a choice?

Some feds say is not realistic to expect them to lose ten working days out of the year.

People

A government that's open about a closed process

John Klossner ponders the effectiveness of the Open Government Initiative.

Digital Government

New DOD CIO calls for partnerships in first public appearance

New Defense Department CIO Teri Takai calls for partnerships and maximizing technology as the department seeks to evolve.

People

New bill seeks federal workforce cuts, other spending reductions

Their bill would cut spending and reduce the size of the federal workforce by 15 percent.