Digital Government
Actor Kevin Costner promotes oil clean up tech on Hill
His company, Ocean Therapy Solutions, has partnered with BP to deploy the machine, but funding and regulatory obstacles have prevented Costner from supplying the device to government, he says.
Modernization
Lawmakers worry about lack of cloud computing guidance
High costs, limited security standards top list of concerns.
Digital Government
Who owns data in the cloud? The answer could get tricky.
Everyone involved in a panel discussion on cloud computing this week acknowledged the need to raise the level of trust in public clouds. Agencies need to be confident that government data is properly secured within the U.S. and can be, if necessary, properly destroyed. But how to do it?
Digital Government
House committee wants answers on cloud progress
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is examining the benefits and challenges of a governmentwide transition to cloud computing, seeking information about government progress from the General Services Administration by June 18.
Digital Government
Fanning the flames—again
“The federal workforce has become an elite island of secure and high-paid workers, separated from the ocean of average American workers competing in the global economy.” The words are from a blog post by Chris Edwards, director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute. The whole post – more of a position paper, actually – can be found at a Cato site called www.downsizinggovernment.org.
Digital Government
Zap -- Sit Up!
No longer does your mother have to shout, "Sit up!" Now your shirt will.
Digital Government
Google Maps Can Steer You Wrong
D'Val Westphal, the "Road Warrior" correspondent for my local paper, the <em>Albuquerque Journal</em>, had a insightful column on Monday on why we should never, ever fully trust Google maps to get directions.
Cybersecurity
Growth in Competitions
One of the many reasons to partake in a cybersecurity competition is to learn and grow a skill set. Threats and vulnerabilities change daily, so the more education the better. In fact, at SANS, we constantly are challenging our instructors to prove their knowledge is up to date. The minute they aren't the authority on a given topic, they no longer are invited to teach. But perhaps one of the most important reasons to engage in competitions is to quell your inner hacker. It's not much fun to have a skill set and not use it, and often, finding avenues to use it in a productive and legal way can be a challenge in itself.
Ideas
Your Archives, Through Social Media
The National Archives and Records Administration is going all-in with social media in hopes of assisting and expanding its audience. And the agency isn't approaching it haphazardly--look across Facebook, Flickr and Twitter and you'll find consistent names and information, as well as a centralized "one-stop shop" for social media on the <a href=http://archives.gov>Archives.gov</a> website.
People
OMB needs broader view of programs, GAO says
Officials who review agencies’ programs should look across agencies for ways to consolidate or even restructure inefficient operations, GAO says.
Digital Government
Next Generation of Government
The differences among the four generations in the federal workforce has been a hot topic for quite some time, with much of the chatter focused on the so-called drastic differences in the way the Millennial generation works and communicates. The younger cadre of federal workers have been talked about as having different goals, ideas and expectations in the workplace, and many have come to work for the government because they are passionate about the mission and affecting change.
Digital Government
A not-so-excellent adventure at the post office
A bad experience at the post office makes blogger Steve Kelman wonder about the roots of poor government service.
People
Orszag: Closing IT gap leads to responsible government
Closing the IT gap could be the most important single step to creating a more efficient and responsive government, OMB Director Peter Orszag says.
People
Transcript of OMB director's remarks to the Center for American Progress
Remarks by Office of Management and Budget Director Peter R. Orszag, as prepared for delivery on June 8, 2010, at the Center for American Progress in Washington.
People
World Bank will start sweeping new disclosure policy
The World Bank has new policy of disclosing most documents.
Digital Government
VA offers $80M in industry contest
The Veterans Affairs Department announced the third round of innovation competitions, this time with $80 million available for contracts to the winners.
Cybersecurity
TSA now handling watch list checks for all domestic flights
The Transportation Security Administration has finished taking over from airlines the responsibility of screening all passengers that are flying inside the United States against the government's terrorist watch lists, as part of the Secure Flight program.
Digital Government
For better info security, certify the workforce
Marc Noble, (ISC)2's director of government affairs, talks about the need for certified information security professionals and three emerging areas that need attention: software security, cloud computing and risk management.
Digital Government
The 3 urgent security concerns you'll have this month
Whether driven by mandates or new vulnerabilities, June brings worries that need to be addressed.
Digital Government