Digital Government

Sustainability provides yet another reason to increase telework opportunities

In releasing new greenhouse gas reduction targets for federal agencies this week, the White House noted that some new ideas—including reducing emissions from employee travel and commuting, and expanding bicycle commuting—are being incorporated into each agency’s annual sustainability plan.

Digital Government

Where to Set a 'Meaningful' Bar?

Although it may have been motivated by politics, some Republican lawmakers on Tuesday raised what is a basic question when creating a new policy: How tough do you make requirements to get federal funding? How high should the bar be set?

Digital Government

Air Force Tees Up Golf Course Software

We all know the old joke, if you want to find an Air Force base, look for a golf course. It turns out managing all those courses worldwide -- 65 in all -- is such a complex task, the service has decided it needs some software to keep track of all the details.

Cybersecurity

Have Gun, Will Cut in Line

You think metal detectors, you think enhanced security. If someone's got a gun, it will set off the alarm and he or she won't be able to enter. Not in Texas.

Ideas

Can You Please Repeat That?

It's likely you've been on the phone when the voice recognition program just doesn't understand a single word you are saying. Maybe you're Scottish.

Digital Government

Union accuses GSA of censorship over social media policy

The union representing some General Services Administration employees is raising an alarm over the agency's policy on employee use of social media—both officially and in their private lives.

Digital Government

The summer of my Droid

A six-month stint with a Verizon Wireless Droid by Motorola eased daily tasks for writer Trudy Walsh.

Digital Government

Which products top the list of security concerns?

The majority of Internet security threats come from unpatched vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat/Reader and Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser.

Digital Government

Why you should say no to some new technologies

Hardware and software tools for securing new technologies can be easy to develop. But effective policy is what drives security.

Digital Government

Officials put temptation in front of small businesses

When a company can certify itself as a particular type of business entitled to preferential treatment, it is a temptation that is hard to resist, according to one member of Congress.

Digital Government

Counter-IED office stresses the need for inter-agency cooperation

The federal government must work together internally and share information to support the troops, JIEDDO official says.

People

Watchdog group charts open government winners and losers

Five federal agencies have made dramatic improvements in their Open Government plans since April, according to a new independent audit released today.

Digital Government

More Tech, Less Balance?

BlackBerrys, mobile apps and social media may be putting their mark on the federal workplace, but is being constantly connected always a good thing?

Cybersecurity

Intell chief denies charges of too many contractors

Reacting to a Washington Post series, the director of national intelligence said contractors are key but are not doing inherently governmental work.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Class for the Working World

If you're way into cybersecurity and are looking for a career change, a new online degree program aims to prepare you for the technical and policy aspects of fighting cyber threats.

Modernization

Data errors: OMB's online IT dashboard doesn't compute

The Government Accountability Office found outdated data and other inaccuracies in its evaluation of the Office of Management and Budget's online IT dashboard.

Ideas

GSA Ponders Prize Contract Vehicle

The General Services Administration may add a contract program that would allow agencies to buy from a menu of technology products, marketing services and technical assistance for running contests. An April <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_2010/m10-11.pdf">White House memo</a> required that GSA "as expeditiously as possible" craft a contract vehicle for purchasing such goods.