Cybersecurity
Paying for Classified Security
You'd probably think that since Sept. 11, the federal government's costs for securing classified information would have increased at a steady rate year after year. That wouldn't be quite right. According to the Information Security Oversight Office's <a href=http://www.archives.gov/isoo/reports/2009-cost-report.pdf>2009 Cost Report</a>, which was just released, the amount the federal government spent on information security for classified data was$4.26 billion in 2009, down slightly from $4.34 billion in 2008. In fact, the amount of spending on securing networks storing classified data hasn't increased at quick clip since 2004, when the amount spent on security was $3.9 billion. Of course, spending shot up right after Sept. 11. In 2001, the cost of securing classified networks was just $2.5 billion.
Digital Government
Spectrum War: Karate Road vs. Defense
In hyping President Obama's decision on Monday to allocate 500 MHz of very scarce spectrum for mobile wireless broadband services, his economic adviser Lawrence Summers said this amounted to the best use of spectrum currently used by federal agencies and TV broadcasters.
Ideas
National Social Media Day?
The social media revolution finally has reached the highest levels of government -- in Canada, that is. Mashable earlier this month designated June 30 as a day to celebrate all things social media, resulting in hundreds of meetups planned worldwide. But the city council in Victoria, British Columbia's capital, was the first government body to <a href=http://mashable.com/2010/06/28/social-media-day-victoria/>formally recognize</a> the event.
Digital Government
Pentagon tightens reins on contractors
The Defense Department wants its contractors to cut their costs as part of a larger DOD strategy to maintain its power as budgets decline.
Cybersecurity
Obama rockets to space with new policy
The Obama administration released a new policy for space exploration that calls for maintaining and enhancing space-based positioning, navigation, and timing systems, as well as protecting access to the radio-frequency spectrum.
Digital Government
Reforming Federal Hiring
The Office of Personnel Management on Friday held a public meeting on its efforts to overhaul the federal hiring process, and my colleague Emily Long has all the <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=45566&dcn=todaysnews">details</a> of the meeting at GovernmentExecutive.com.
Digital Government
OPM Announces First LEAD Graduates
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday recognized the first graduates of its new Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) certificate program, and two notable technology leaders are among the program's graduates.
Digital Government
First lady wants help to create childhood obesity infographics
Michelle Obama is looking for a colorful, powerful graphic to present childhood obesity information with the greatest effect.
Digital Government
VA patient scheduling app still not ready for prime time
The Veterans Affairs Department's second attempt to build an outpatient scheduling system may not get off the ground unless significant management deficiencies are corrected, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Modernization
OMB puts brakes on financial systems modernization
The Obama administration announced today that it will overhaul the federal financial management system and prohibit agencies from placing task orders or contracts for modernization efforts.
Digital Government
Senate Homeland Security Committee hopes you 'like' its Facebook page
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has launched its own Facebook page for interaction via the social-networking service.
Modernization
There are no shortcuts to findability
The hype around improving the findability of online information can lead to shortsighted solutions.
Digital Government
Army cites improper contracting in Arlington Cemetery scandal
Federal Computer Week
People
People on the move, events in the news
A who's who of former federal information technology leaders joined in recognizing this year's honorees at the Association for Federal Information Resources Management’s annual Executive Leadership Awards at the Capital Hilton June 17.
Modernization