Digital Government
Finding common ground, but no agreement on protecting online privacy
Data is used to help advertisers and marketers target users based on their interests.
Modernization
Slow development of radio standards frustrates first responders
Requirements are so complicated that agencies fail to specify elements that must be compliant, resulting in systems that have many proprietary parts that are not interoperable.
Digital Government
Lawmakers ask White House to stop DHS financial system
House Judiciary Committee leaders say the department has not followed OMB requirements for developing the risky projects, but Homeland Security officials disagree.
Modernization
Debate heats up over police access to data in the cloud
Law enforcement officials say they need to obtain information stored in offsite servers quickly for evidence, and business says protections should be included in law.
Digital Government
Stuxnet worm deemed 'best malware ever'
The highly sophisticated malware known as the Stuxnet worm operated undetected for nearly six months while carrying out its stealth attack on utility infrastructure around the globe. Read about how it was brought to bay.
Digital Government
Rather Pay Than Install EHR
A lot of work went into the development of <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100713_8741.php>meaningful use standards</a> -- those requirements that an electronic health record system has to do to be considered a bona fide electronic health record system.
Digital Government
What's the IT Cost of Legislation?
When Congress passes legislation, it rarely thinks about how much work is involved in putting a new policy into place. And that includes information technology work.
Digital Government
How the iPad Informs Cyber Command
In his <a href=http://armedservices.house.gov/pdfs/FC092310/AlexanderStatement.pdf>testimony</a> given before the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday, Gen. Keith B. Alexander, commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, cited Apple's iPad, which costs $499 and up, as an example of the challenges the nation faces as it attempts to operate in a global and amorphous cyber space.
Ideas
A More Serious Twitter Breach
When hackers on Tuesday exploited a security flaw on the social-networking service Twitter to corrupt messages from users -- including the White House press secretary's account -- the breach seemed to be a joke rather than an effort to bring down systems.
People
Improving federal IT acquisitions
Blogger Steve Kelman contends vendors should make experts available to provide comments or suggestions on technical or contracting strategy issues during the contract bidding process.
Cybersecurity
ESPN Fantasy Football Flaw
ESPN fantasy football players beware: The system is rife with security flaws. According to security experts, the vulnerabilities exist in the URL the site uses as a final confirmation when making roster decisions. The site is not authenticating the requests correctly, so by essentially editing the URL, a player can make changes to another player's team.
People
4 keys to finding the best new hires
Federal agencies have an opportunity to broaden the available talent pool, write Ronald Sanders and Jeff Pon from Booz Allen Hamilton.
Modernization
Electronic tax-filing system gets few takers
The IRS had expected millions of taxpayers to file online using its new system this year, but fewer than 1 million did, according to a new audit.
People
IT spending: When bad news is good news
Improved access to federal spending data bodes well for IT decision-making, writes FCW columnist Chris Bronk.
People
Federal IT program failures: It's the content, stupid
Many federal IT programs fail because agencies focus on systems rather than content, writes consultant Barry Schaeffer.
Digital Government
A battle over public safety radio plans
Seattle officials exchange a blog-based war of words over the region's strategy for first-responder communications.
People
Second Senate panel approves Lew to head OMB
The Senate Budget Committee has approved Jacob Lew's nomination to be director of the Office of Management and Budget.
People
FCC website goes open source with Drupal
The Federal Communications Commission is transitioning FCC.gov to the Drupal open-source content management system.
Modernization