Modernization
DOD brass takes jaundiced view of thumb drives
The thumb drive, the ubiquitous device that has revolutionized portable computer storage and cornered the market on conference souvenirs, can't quite shake its reputation in the Defense Department as a modern-day Typhoid Mary.
Digital Government
DOD welcomes Web 2.0 to its networks
Defense Department officials released a long-awaited set of policy directives for the use of social networking and other Internet technologies, a move that earned positive and negative reactions.
Cybersecurity
Are DHS contractors running amok?
Two heavyweights from the Senate want to know who is running the shop at the Homeland Security Department. And whoever it is, the department's inspector general would like to speak with them.
Digital Government
Generational Views on Privacy
Wired Workplace was in San Francisco on Thursday covering the RSA Conference. Given my interest in generational issues, I was particularly interested in a session titled "Security and the Generation Gap," conducted by Bruce Schneier, a technologist and leading author on security issues. I expected the session to focus on some of the research about how different generations, particularly Millennials, perceive information security and privacy. Instead, the session focused on the responsibilities that all generations currently hold to protect privacy and ensure individuals, not technological systems, have control.
Cybersecurity
Uncle Cyber Sam wants you
The cyber spooks and watchdogs in the Obama administration are coming out of the shadows, making a full-court press to engage industry and the public in their crusade against cyber war.
Digital Government
Navy picks pair for shipboard network support
Contracts are for CANES program, designed to streamline and consolidated Navy information technology networks aboard its ships.
Digital Government
E-Retirement System on the Way?
Modernizing the federal government's retirement system, including moving from paper to electronic records, has long been a priority of the Office of Personnel Management. But as I <a href="http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1008/101608b2.htm?oref=rellink">reported</a> back in 2008, modernizing the system has not been without its challenges.
Digital Government
IT companies strut their stuff for feds
Kathy Ireland hosted a federal information technology fashion show on March 4.
Acquisition
Note to DOD IG: "Assisted acquisition" does mean "provide help"
DOD IG guidance moves GSA's Office of Assisted Services in the wrong direction, subtracting rather than adding value for their government customers.
Digital Government
Kaiser official defends security practices for veterans health data
Electronic data exchange safer than U.S. Mail, Kaiser official says.
Acquisition
GSA administrator Johnson to speak at FOSE
Johnson, GSA's new administrator, will speak at 11 a.m. March 25 at the Washington Convention Center.
Digital Government
More details emerge on Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative
The White House on March 2 released a summary of the 12 parts of a classified, expansive computer security initiative that was started in January 2008.
Digital Government
Geospatial apps help temper Mother Nature's fury
Government agencies find that linking sensors to other geospatial data could improve emergency management, environmental monitoring and homeland security.
Digital Government
No cyberwar? Say it ain't so, Howie!
Is there such a thing as a cyberwar? Some top officials say no, but others disagree. Who wins the war of words?
Digital Government
A mappable mashup
The National Weather Service's Ridge 2 system fuses ground-based radar and human-created weather alert data with geospatial data and makes it available to other agencies and the public.
Cybersecurity
DHS awarded noncompetitive contracts without having adequate records, IG says
The Homeland Security Department's Inspector General found gaps and missing data when he searched records on contracts awarded without open competition.
People
Writing to be heard—and understood—on the Web
The Web could force the federal government to finally shed its legacy of lousy writing.
Modernization
Our panel of language mavens
The federal information technology community is home to a number of experts in the fields of plain language and Web content. Here are the four who contributed their ideas to this article.
Modernization