Cybersecurity
Contract rules need IT security standards, official says
A defense official has recommended changing the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require contractors' IT products to meet minimum security standards.
Digital Government
More people signing up for e-patient records, but widespread use low
Survey finds citizens still are skeptical about how safe their private medical information is; one-third say they would consider hiding data from their health provider.
Digital Government
Senate set to consider NSA chief as head of Cyber Command
Lawmakers have held up Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander's nomination because of concerns about the militarization of cyberspace, the command's relationship with the National Security Agency and the use of the Internet.
Digital Government
Acceptance of controversial body scanners is high, survey says
Travelers willing to sacrifice personal privacy for improved airline security.
Ideas
Cyber Reports Prod Senate Action
The federal government is not fully following information security initiatives, according to two separate reports published by the Government Accountability Office on Monday. Senators who requested the audits called for the creation of a permanent cyber czar in response to findings that agencies are not implementing a critical Homeland Security Department cybersecurity system, not reducing connections to external networks and not properly configuring security settings on workstations.
Digital Government
NSA on the Flash-Media Hunt
Shh, the National Security Agency has developed a software tool that detects thumb drives or other flash media connected to a network, and any federal agency can get a copy free -- no box tops or coupons required.
Ideas
Social Media Primer
Jesse Stanchak over at SmartBlog on Social Media wrote an interesting <a href=http://smartblogs.com/socialmedia/2010/04/12/the-abcs-of-pitching-to-influencers/>post</a> today on the ABCs of pitching to influencers (the media, basically). His theory: The widespread use of Web 2.0 technologies doesn't automatically equate to the effective use of those tools. Can his tips for using social media apply to federal agencies hoping to reach to the general public?
Cybersecurity
Passwords as Easy as 123
For a peak into what passwords people choose - and just how easy they are to break - check out <a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/04/11/passwords_we_love/">this article</a> the <em>Boston Globe</em> published on April 11. (It accompanied a <a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/04/11/please_do_not_change_your_password/">larger article</a> on a study that concluded the cost of changing passwords outweighs the benefits - another interesting read.) A security firm analyzed 32 million passwords stolen from the social applications producer called RockYou and posted online. (A hacker had broken into the system in December 2009.) The most popular passwords were a form of 123456. And No. 4 on the list? "Password."
Cybersecurity
Agencies struggle with securing computers, GAO reports
Senators act to get agencies to secure their computer systems against cyberattacks and hackers.
Digital Government
Is Competitive Hiring Too Complex?
Alyssa Rosenberg <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=44997&dcn=todaysnews">writes</a> at <em>Government Executive</em> about a new white paper that proposes scrapping the traditional competitive federal hiring process for graduate students in favor of a new internship program. The paper, written by the National Association of Public Affairs and Administration, notes that only 25 percent of graduate students who join the federal government are getting jobs through competitive hiring. This means the process is not serving the needs of students, particularly those who have education and skills but not much work experience, NASPAA noted.
People
IRMCO opens with telework talk
The General Services Administration's IRMCO conference, underway on Maryland's Eastern Shore, features an array of topics and speakers.
Digital Government
Health IT + iPad = iSalvation
First there was tulip mania, circa 1637. More recently there were tech stock and real-estate bubbles. Now, enthusiasm for the iPad as a game-changing health IT device is swelling like the string section in a romantic movie score.
Digital Government
Security Study Guide
Are you a federal information security worker preparing for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional exam? (ISC)2 on Monday released the second edition of its official CISSP study guide, which reflects the evolving terminology and changing scope of information security jobs. The guide includes a CD with sample CISSP exams and grades, corrects and identifies areas where more study is needed.
People