Modernization

PowerPoint combatants go at it again

One of the military's top leaders reignites a battle over the merits of the ubiquitous presentation software.

Digital Government

Oil spill: Technology tested by tyranny of depth

Efforts to stem the flow of crude oil gushing from a damaged well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico illustrate the limits of oil-spill technology.

Cybersecurity

Bill would set requirements for cyber coordinator

Senior House lawmakers want the Senate to approve presidential picks to head up a White House cyberspace office.

People

How telework improves employee accountability

The oft-cited concern that teleworkers have no accountability is dead wrong, says one reader who. Tell us what you think.

People

GAO reveals recipe for DOD programs success

Here's the Government Accountability Office's recipe for creating successful programs: a mix of high-ranking officials' support and proactive managers poured over sound a business case.

Modernization

Bill would create Web portal for veterans' records

Rep. Niki Tsongas has introduced legislation to enable veterans to access their service records electronically through a Web portal.

Cybersecurity

Computers and Stock Market Mayhem

In a span of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/06/AR2010050604545.html?hpid=topnews">5 minutes</a> yesterday, the Dow Jones index tumbled faster than ever before. <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economy-watch/2010/05/lesson_of_todays_stock_market.html?hpid=topnews">The culprit</a>? It's still unclear, but it appears as if computer issues played an integral part alongside the economic crisis in Greece and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The point of emphasis here is that computers have become so embedded in our financial institutions that it's not even considered unreasonable to hypothesize the massive financial ramifications of a simple data entry error. The event's shock and awe almost demands that we consider how a cybersecurity breach could have a similar, if not far worse, impact.

Cybersecurity

Big Brother is watching in high definition

The Homeland Security Department is testing out a new 360-degree video surveillance system at Logan International Airport in Boston that is described as offering high-resolution imaging and analytics without the distortion of the typical fisheye lens.

Digital Government

Director says software issues won't bust Census budget

Groves says the project will likely come in under budget.

Digital Government

Canadian firm to become bigger player in U.S. federal IT market

Purchase of U.S.-based defense and intelligence technology provider will position the Montreal company to do more business in the Beltway.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity bill would penalize agencies for noncompliance

The Executive Cyberspace Authorities Act would require a review of cyber threats and proof of adherence to FISMA when submitting annual budgets.

Digital Government

Air Force finds cheaper way to air-deliver supplies to troops

Alaska-based squadron successfully tests system that uses a supercomputer to crunch weather data to determine exact moment to drop equipment and food to crew members to the ground.

Digital Government

Telework—blessing or curse?

The move to implement telework in the federal workplace suffered a setback on May 6 when the House rejected the Telework Improvements Act.

Digital Government

Data.gov shows how not to do open government

Speakers at the Open Government and Innovations conference say too much of the data on Data.gov isn't usable by everyday people or even developers. That needs to change if agencies are to deliver on the Open Government Initiative.