Cybersecurity

DHS to hire 170 IT employees during next 18 months

Richard Spires, the CIO of the Homeland Security Department, said today his IT workforce will almost double by October 2011.

Ideas

GSA Continues Acquisitions Shakeup

The General Services Administration on Tuesday announced another leadership change in its Federal Acquisition Service, the office responsible for coordinating goods and services for government agencies. Jon Jordon, controller for FAS, will serve as acting deputy commissioner starting April 3.

Digital Government

Upcoming FCW Feature

Update on topic and writer for upcoming FCW feature.

People

DFAS employees can be suspended, fired over credit scores

Rep. Dennis Kucinich and three other members of the Ohio congressional delegation asked the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to temporarily shelve a policy which suspends or terminates employees who post low credit scores.

Digital Government

Defense CIO nominee will face tough challenges

Takai will rely on her experience in network compatibility and information sharing, but she faces a steep learning curve on tactical networks and the command-and-control systems the department relies on to conduct operations worldwide.

Digital Government

Unions seek bargaining over electronic pay stubs

Groups praise initiative as environmentally sound, but want to make sure no employees are left behind.

Digital Government

Senators concerned over savings lost due to Networx delays

Agencies should share transition plans by April 9, oversight committee says.

Digital Government

White House considers proposals to improve information sharing

Recommendations from the Markle Foundation include persistent queries, which remember users' search terms, and tagging information with labels that make it easier to organize.

Digital Government

OMB financial management chief pledges to urge quick results

Danny Werfel says agencies should be smarter about technology investments and metrics.

Digital Government

Can Docs be Paid to Adopt EHRs?

Just how effective are government incentive payments to physicians to encourage them to adopt electronic health records? So, so, according to a survey conducted by a data interchange company in Massachusetts.

Cybersecurity

GPS Tracking Equals Another Privacy Battle

The federal government is considering ways to bolster falling revenue from gas taxes, as more motorists drive hybrid and more fuel-efficient cars. The nation has a $140 billion shortfall in highway funding, which will get worse as cars burn less gas causing revenue from fuel taxes drop, <a href=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/29/nevada-studies-fuel-tax-alternatives/>according to the Las Vegas Sun</a>.

Digital Government

Honoring Bataan in Kuwait

It turns out that on March 21 as I and 5,000 military and civilian folks participated in the 21st <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2010/03/45_pounds_sure_is_heavier_nowadays.php>Annual Bataan Memorial Death March</a> at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., we had some company at the Army's Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Digital Government

Navy CIO Tweaks Social Policy

The Navy has started to develop its own take on the Defense Departmentwide <a href=http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/DTM-09-026.pdf>social media policy</a> for the Navy and Marine Corps <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100226_3264.php>released in February</a>. Navy Department Chief Information Officer Rob Carey <a href=http://www.doncio.navy.mil/Blog.aspx?ID=1653>said in a blog post</a> on March 26 that he expected the service's policy to be released real soon.

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.