Digital Government

Air Force's retro acquisition strategy comes with a price

The latest twist in the Air Force tanker program is the product of a dysfunctional procurement system, writes blogger Steve Kelman.

People

US clears way for social media to reach human rights activists

An amendment issued by the Treasury Department makes it legal to export Web technologies--such as instant messaging, chat and e-mail, and social networking--to Iran, Sudan and Cuba.

Digital Government

White House details how agencies should legally organize contests

Guidance includes following federal acquisition rules, contracting with a third party and using department-specific mandates.

Cybersecurity

Security guidance to aid agencies in cloud computing push

Threat list is helpful but incomplete, analysts say.

Cybersecurity

VA investigating security breach of veterans' medical data

In violation of department policies, physician assistant allegedly conducted an unauthorized download of two sets of clinical records in an attempt to conduct research, according to sources.

Digital Government

DOD social media policy fails to answer security questions

Former Director of Defense Information Paul Strassmann questions how DOD's new directive, permitting NIPRNet access to the Internet, will work without more explicit security direction.

Digital Government

Security Breach Déjà Vu at VA

Oh my, when will they ever learn at the Veterans Affairs Department? I have heard from well placed sources that the VA inspector general may start an investigation into how and why an employee of the VA medical center in Atlanta downloaded patient clinical data to a personal laptop.

Digital Government

Don't Ask, and Ye Shall Recieve

Roger Baker, the chief information officer at the Veterans Affairs Department and <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2010/02/vas_66_billion_man.php>the $6.6 billion man</a>, will get a few more shekels to spend in fiscal 2011 if the Senate VA committee and the Republicans on the House VA committee get their way in the long budget process.

Ideas

Tweeting for Startup Visa

Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists flew in to Capitol Hill last week to promote the Startup Visa Act, a bill to amend immigration law and make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to stay in the U.S. -- and create jobs here -- if they demonstrate funding from U.S.-based investors. This wasn't just a stakeholders' party. So far, more than 780 voters have sent over 2800 messages to their elected representatives - through 2gov, a nifty tool that channels Tweets to Congress. And 95 percent are supporting the bill.

Digital Government

Kaiser policies for veteran health records still raising questions

A conflict may exist in Kaiser Permanente's descriptions of its security policies on electronic health records.

Cybersecurity

Obama announces new pick to head TSA

Robert Harding, former director for operations at the Defense Intelligence Agency, is President Barack Obama's new pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration.

Digital Government

Fed IT Workers Get $13 Mil in Bonuses

Federal agencies paid more than $280 million in bonuses in 2008 to recruit, retain and relocate employees, according to a new report from the Office of Personnel Management.

Ideas

More Airport Body Scans

The Homeland Security Department on Friday announced that it will expand the use of advanced imaging technology--the controversial body scans--to 11 U.S. aiports by summer, thanks to $1 billion in Recovery Act funds.