Ideas

Stand Up and Be Counted

We're a little over a week into the 2010 decennial census -- most census forms were delivered between March 15 and 17 -- and it's time for a progress report, courtesy of the Census Bureau's new <a href=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/>Web mapping feature</a>.

Modernization

DOD enterprise service structure in the works, official says

the guidelines will define and coordinate governance and creation of capabilities, official says.

Ideas

USPS Takes to the Web to Explain

The U.S. Postal Service launched on Wednesday a <a href=http://www.usps.com/communications/five-daydelivery/>Web site</a> to explain their controversial proposal for five-day mail delivery.

Digital Government

SSA Faces Shortage of IT Pros

The Social Security Administration will need to boost its recruitment, hiring, training and retention efforts of information technology specialists in order to offset a wave of IT retirements over the next six years, Federal Computer Week <a href="http://fcw.com/articles/2010/03/23/ssa-bracing-for-it-worker-retirements.aspx">reports</a>.

People

GSA now on the fast track, top exec says

Martha Johnson, new administrator of the General Services Administration, outlines her priorities.

People

Audit reveals FDA not using performance data in management decisions

The Food and Drug Administration is not utilizing performance information effectively to help improve its management, according to the Government Accountability Management Office.

People

Does insourcing lead to 'theft' of contractor employees?

Federal agencies are expanding their in-house staffs at the expense of companies already struggling with an unstable economy, writes one reader.

Digital Government

Twitter highlights USGS use of earthquake tweets

Twitter has posted a case study of a federal agency using its short messaging service for mission-related work.

Cybersecurity

Social networking still a learning experience for agencies

Using new social media tools is still new to federal agencies and minor problems and missteps should be expected, several officials said today at the FOSE trade show.

Modernization

ATF wants more functionality from mobile devices

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been testing technology to increase the capabilities of the personal digital assistants that bureau officials use.

Digital Government

Social media opens new door to cyberattacks, panel says

E-mail attachments are no longer the attack route of choice of computer hackers trying to break into government and industry systems.

People

Younger workforce can motivate agency leaders to embrace new technologies

The latest in technology is creeping into federal agencies, and a younger workforce will be holding the door open for it.

Modernization

Cloud computing is not always helpful in data recovery

Post-disaster data recovery is easier now, but it still can be difficult to get managers to buy in, says a former CISO for DOJ.

Modernization

CIO survey reveals cautious embrace of emerging trends

The presidential push for transparency in government may provide direction for federal chief information officers’ efforts, but cybersecurity concerns continue to top the list of CIOs’ biggest headaches.

Cybersecurity

Organizations collaborating on guidance to thwart insider cyber threats

A Defense Department personnel office, police chiefs and the legal community are working together to come up with guidance for vetting online behavior of employees to protect against insider attacks.

People

DOD/VA Health records project yielding important lessons

The joint health data exchange pilot project between the Defense and the Veterans Affairs departments is still in its early phases, but already has taught valuable lessons about interoperability, government officials working on the project say.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity game plan needs stronger educational strategy

Computer science students should get college scholarships like basketball or football players, a senior official in DHS' National Cybersecurity Division said at FOSE.

Digital Government

Tech groups still worried about cert requirements in Rockefeller-Snowe bill

Technology trade groups remain concerned over certification requirements for cybersecurity professionals that would be required under a bill in the Senate.

Cybersecurity

Senate bill targets countries where cyberattacks against U.S. interests originate

A bill in the Senate would hold other countries accountable for cyber-crime against targets in the United States.