Digital Government
Silicon Valley Losing its Luster?
Silicon Valley is losing its position as a top area for technology workers, particularly as some of the area's top companies announce layoffs and cuts to pay and benefits. Bloomberg.com <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aAYKCRtZdCv0">reports</a> that Silicon Valley has been hard hit by the recession, with unemployment above the national average and 90,000 jobs lost between the second quarters of 2008 and 2009. Further, companies are eliminating stock options, downsizing staff and instituting pay and benefits cuts, all while the cost of living in the area remains high. Instead, workers are jumping ship to areas like Huntsville, Ala., and Austin, Texas, where companies are tapping into a surge in federal government funding.
Cybersecurity
China cyber threat looms large
The PACOM chief's warnings echo complaints from Google and GoDaddy about malicious Chinese Internet activity.
Digital Government
The Army's smart turn to battlefield apps
Smart phone technology is taking over the rest of the world, it seems, so why should the U.S. military be immune? The Army, at least, seems to be willing to see how far it can go, even on the front lines.
People
USDA releases draft open-gov plan
The Agriculture Department published a draft version of its open-government plan, which details how the agency plans to become more open and transparent to the public.
Modernization
Oops: GSA official overstates cloud savings
A senior GSA official, speaking at FOSE, overestimated her agency's savings on cloud computing -- by a factor of 500.
People
HHS wiki airs concerns about planned health network service
The Health and Human Services Department's new wiki on its Nationwide Health Information Network Direct service provides a forum for concerns about the effects of the program.
Digital Government
HHS panel advises on data glitches that affect patient safety
An HHS advisory workgroup today proposed best practices for dealing with patient safety problems related to electronic health record systems.
Acquisition
Senators again attempt program parity
Contracting officers would get to choose the small-business program that best suits an agency’s need, instead of giving HUBZone program priority.
Digital Government
Air Force rules target BlackBerry security
The Air Force will put in place this month strict rules and regulations governing how its personnel are allowed to use Air Force-issued BlackBerry smart phones as a way to improve security associated with the devices.
Modernization
Specter mulls fix to surveillance law to ban secret videotaping
Change prompted by allegations from a Pennsylvania family that school administrators monitored their son by using a secret webcam embedded in a school-issued laptop.
Digital Government