Digital Government
IRS Recruits on YouTube
The Internal Revenue Service has become the latest agency to launch a new job search tool on YouTube aimed at recruiting veterans and recent college graduates. The new playlist, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/IRSVideos#g/c/C229B1637C71A518">Working at the IRS</a>," showcases videos in which IRS employees discuss their jobs, the diversity of the IRS workforce and the culture of the agency. The YouTube effort coincides with the launch the <a href="http://jobs.irs.gov/home.html?navmenu=menu2">IRS Careers website</a>, which has more detailed information on job openings, how to apply for positions and information on the benefits of working at the IRS.
People
D.C. locale can aid agencies' search for young talent
Federal agencies and departments need to do a better job of using the city of Washington as a recruiting tool to attract young professionals looking for employment, writes Steve Kelman.
Digital Government
People on the move, events in the news
The hot ticket in federal IT this week was — what else? — the Hot Ticket Awards, the annual soiree that Northern Virginia Technology Council President Bobbie Kilberg hosts at her McLean, Va., home.
People
The federal workforce: Abandon all hope, ye who work here
Federal employees voice anger and resignation about their working conditions, their bosses and the likelihood that anything will change.
Digital Government
NSA stakes another claim to cybersecurity leadership
The recent appearance of an article about NSA in the Wall Street Journal could indicate that the spy agency is jockeying for position with DHS, writes blogger Brian Robinson.
Digital Government
What makes a Web site -- form or function?
A list of the 12 worst government Web sites criticized those sites mostly for their design. Readers say content and functionality are better criteria.
Cybersecurity
DHS still pondering biometric air exit system
The Homeland Security Department is still considering whether -- and how -- to proceed with a system to electronically collect fingerprints from non-U.S. visitors as they leave the United States by aircraft.
People
DOE launches smart grid Web portal
The Energy Department has started a new Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse Web site in beta form to provide a forum for information sharing on smart grid technologies.
Digital Government
Correction: Federal judiciary funds IT war chest 8 cents at a time
This article was corrected July 8 to clarify the sponsorship of Law.gov
Cybersecurity
Be a Good Security Analyst
How deep is your <a href="http://www.it.ufl.edu/policies/security/uf-it-sec-incident-response.html">incident and response tracking</a>? There are a number of ways to track and log incidents. I recommend keeping copies of any relevant logs in an incident entry notebook. Every virus detection goes into this incident database, including malware incident details and usually the website access logs within the context of the antivirus incident.
Digital Government
Cyber shield for private sector sparks Big Brother fears
The National Security Agency's new program to shield the networks of privately owned utilities and other critical infrastructure companies has some people worried that it's a step toward a surveillance state or a government power grab.
People
How contests can improve government performance (and procurement)
Blogger Steve Kelman believes public contests are a great way to generate ideas to improve government operations and cut costs.
Modernization
Open-gov reviews devalue social media
For government agencies, the Defense Department has attracted above-average participation to its social media presence. But that doesn't impress the White House's open-government leaders.
Acquisition
Executive, legislative branches' insourcing edicts send mixed messages
The White House and Congress are beaming decrees across the government about insourcing federal work, but the messages they're sending to agencies and departments are mixed.
Digital Government
Batman and Robin's new secret hideout: DARPA's labs
The boffins at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency may be planning to study the science in the proposed new programs, but the wonks who devise acronyms -- we think it's a super-secret bureau nestled in the deep recesses of a secret agency -- must have worked overtime on the names.
People
Twitter nears the gov 2.0 tipping point
We are beginning to see increased adoption of tools such as Twitter into more formal roles to help meet agency missions, writes commentator Steve Lunceford.
Modernization
Recommended reading
Unmasking anonymous posters; The coming cloud disaster; The future of IT
People
The best of the federal blogosphere
This week's highlights: dangerous Popsicle makers; Transportation's real star; paper-based Web testing; a Twitter town hall.
People
Telework: Report tells tale of operational benefits, management resistance
The government is not expanding or promoting flexible work arrangements across the federal sphere, despite the benefit of government being able to operate in the event of a disruption to a physical facility, according to a new report.
Digital Government