Cybersecurity
DHS: President has adequate authority to handle cyber emergencies
Existing laws allow the commander in chief to control communications during wars, senior official notes.
Digital Government
VA faces flood of new claims and charges of a 'hostile' work environment
Tests of new work processes show ways the department can manage a double-digit increase in claims it expects to receive in the next two years.
People
FCC, FDA take teamwork approach to telemedicine
The FCC and FDA have scheduled a joint public meeting in July on a teamwork approach to overseeing approval of telemedicine devices.
Cybersecurity
McCain's Dirty Cyber Politics
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Roland Burris, D-Ill., are playing politics with the Senate's new cybersecurity legislation. The mostly positive <a href="http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=f56ace2f-7ac6-49ff-80e3-652371bb6fa6">hearing</a> was momentarily turned into McCain's personal soapbox to espouse the Homeland Security Department's alleged mishandling of the Christmas Day terrorist attack with DHS' ability to head a newly created center for cybsecurity and communication, as proposed in the bill. As currently written, the new center would be patterned after the country's National Counterterrorism Center.
Digital Government
Meaningful Use or Bust
Growing numbers of doctors and hospitals say the deadline for meeting strict "meaningful use" standards set by the government for electronic health records is unrealistic. One man, though, is questioning whether the deadline is sufficiently ambitious.
Ideas
No Passing Grade For e-Passport
The technology behind e-Passports, the relatively recent identity document upgrade to include biometrics and other personal information, may not be safe from terrorists, counterfeiters and other malicious attacks. In fact, data security has been a key concern about e-Passports for several years.
Digital Government
I'll Pass on Djibouti Industry Day
The Navy wants to <a href=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=f2fb4464c0517ddd2713689a4b846c5a&tab=core&_cview=1>beef up</a> its networks at <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Lemonnier>Camp Lemonnier</a> in Djibouti, headquarters for the Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn of Africa. So the service invited interested vendors to attend a two day briefing there next month.
Ideas
Advantage of Executive (Cyber) Privilege
What's the biggest advantage of taking the job of cybersecurity coordinator at the White House? Being able to turn your nose up at Congress, apparently.
People
The 8 elements of a successful social media policy
A new study identifies eight best practices agencies should use when codifying social media use policies for employees.
People
Government lags behind industry in telework opportunities
Federal information technology workers were much less likely than their private-sector counterparts to regularly or exclusively telework despite having favorable opinions of telecommuting, according to a report released today.
People
EPA has three-pronged strategy for correcting procurement woes
A new contract writing system, developing the agency's acquisition workforce and finding savings are their top priorities, EPA officials say. They also acknowledge problems with procurement data.
Cybersecurity
A Senate Hearing Preview
In preparation for today's hearing on the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act (background <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100518_3081.php?oref=search">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100610_9392.php?oref=search">here</a>), here's a video of Sen. Joe Lieberman's, I-Conn., public comments at a presser last week. Today's panel includes:
Digital Government
Improving IT Managers
Legislation introduced in the House on Tuesday would require federal managers and supervisors to undergo more extensive leadership and mentorship training.
Digital Government
GSA plans e-mail system revamp
GSA plans to revamp its enterprise e-mail system, and the RFP details some major changes in the works.
Cybersecurity
Internet gatekeepers strengthen security at the root
The Commerce Department and global Internet authorities are installing a change to the root system of the Internet to improve security for domain names.
Digital Government
Setting Standards for Cyber Pros
A forthcoming report that will <a href="http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2010/06/boosting_cyber_skills.php">recommend new standards for testing cybersecurity skills</a> and create cyber career paths in the federal government is a positive step for securing the talent necessary to ensure computer networks and systems are protected, an expert on cybersecurity issues said last week.
People
Most transitioned NSPS workers got pay hike. How about you?
A large majority of civilian DOD employees who have been moved out of the National Security Personnel System so far have received a pay hike when they transitioned to the General Schedule pay system.
Digital Government
Software supply chain security is target of industry group best practices
Government Computer News
Digital Government