People

EPA launches rulemaking Web site

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a Web site designed to give the public new ways to participate in the rulemaking process.

Digital Government

Former intell chief to talk cybersecurity

Former director of national intelligence Michael McConnell is scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee about what is needed to protect the country's critical infrastructure from cyberthreats.

People

FCC boosts telemedicine in plan preview

The FCC's preview of its National Broadband Plan's top priorities emphasizes telemedicine and e-health technologies.

Ideas

Nominate a Colleague for an Award

Do you know a federal manager who recently took risks to push through a bold idea, policy or program that uses technology to make government work better or improve public services? If so, we'd like to hear your story by <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov_awards/>nominating</a> your colleague for a Nextgov Award.

People

CDC starts online surveillance of blood transfusion events

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is collecting data about the after effects of blood transfusions as part of a new application of its Internet-based National Healthcare Safety Network.

Digital Government

To USB or not to USB

USB thumb drives are very useful for transporting data between computers--as well as introducing malware into sensitive computer systems.

Digital Government

Defense allows flash media on systems only as a 'last resort'

A new order issued by the command in charge of the military's cyber defense is a return to a policy of using removable devices under specific circumstances and guidelines.

Digital Government

Panel: Open Networx to states and localities to expand broadband use

The contract's lower prices for telecommunications could make it easier to expand high-speed Internet to underserved areas.

Digital Government

Security must be a consideration as acquisition databases are combined

GSA and IBM, which just won a $74.4 million contract to consolidate nine systems, still need to come up with a plan to protect proprietary information.

Digital Government

EPA Web site paving the way to transparency

Dashboard opens environmental rulemaking to public earlier, provides model for other agencies.

Digital Government

VA to Tweet

The Veterans Affairs Department plans to push the use of Twitter and Facebook to all of its 148 medical centers, according to an insightful <a href=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-allen-smith/vet-bloggers-storm-americ_b_467186.html>account</a> on the department's use of social media on The Huffington Post by Richard Allen Smith, who writes the <a href=http://www.vetvoice.com/>VetVoice blog</a>.

Ideas

IBM to Merge Contracting Systems

The government announced on Thursday that IBM U.S. Federal has won a $74.4 million dollar contract to consolidate disparate systems that track contractor performance. The reconfiguration is intended to make it easier for federal acquisition workers to monitor the purchase of equipment, supplies, information technology and telecommunications services governmentwide, according to the General Services Administration, the agency that awarded the contract.

Digital Government

IT Lessons from Snowmageddon

A new report by CDW-G suggests that there may be some valuable lessons for federal IT leaders in the aftermath of last week's snowstorms that shut down federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., area for more than four days. The report, "Seven Habits of Highly Resilient Organizations," provides activities that federal IT executives should undertake to ensure that interruption to agency operations during weather disruptions or other emergencies is minimal.