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.
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