Cybersecurity

For Tom Talleur, cybersecurity is a bad situation about to get worse

Former NASA and Defense forensic technologist says agencies are wide open to cyberattack, and it will only get worse as other advanced technologies begin to become more ubiquitous.

Digital Government

Education, IRS try to make filing student aid form less daunting

A process will automatically fill in financial data from an IRS Web site, eliminating what has been a time-consuming task that discouraged many students from filing for aid.

People

4 year-end predictions for government 2.0

Gov 2.0 maven Mark Drapeau offers some non-exhaustive, somewhat creative, and entirely debatable trends and ideas that he foresees taking shape in the next year or so.

Digital Government

Kundra talks about a new day for government data

In an interview with ExecutiveBiz, the federal CIO talks about how a “whole new industry” could evolve around Data.gov.

Digital Government

Who Needs Boring Spending Tables?

I know they're real busy on the Hill right now, adding verbiage to an already incomprehensible 2,000 page-plus health care bill, but I'm appalled at the sloppy work done on the fiscal 2010 <a href=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/Z?r111:H16DE9-0030>Defense appropriations bill</a> signed by President Obama on Monday.

Modernization

Federal appeals court upholds ban on Microsoft Word sales

Microsoft has been ordered to stop selling its Microsoft Word software starting Jan. 11.

Ideas

Howard Schmidt: What They Say

Last night, the White House <a href=http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1209/122109j2.htm?oref=todaysnews>officially confirmed</a> that Howard Schmidt, the former cyber adviser in the Bush administration, would be appointed to the much anticipated position of cyber coordinator. Since then, the comments have been flowing in. Below is just a taste of how the cybersecurity community is reacting to the pick.

People

VA clerk's bright idea leads to White House visit

A Veterans Affairs clerk has met with President Barack Obama in recognition of her idea on how to reduce waste.

People

Report: Leeds designated GSA's acting chief

Federal News Radio's Chris Dorobek is reporting today that Stephen Leeds has been designated acting administrator for the General Services Administration.

Cybersecurity

DHS setting new deadlines for Real ID

The Homeland Security Department has extended the Dec. 31 deadline for states to comply with Real ID drivers license requirements and is setting new deadlines with the states.

Digital Government

Workforce Hurdles for New Cyber Czar

President Obama on Tuesday <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20091222_3406.php?oref=topnews">named Robert Schmidt as his cybersecurity coordinator</a>. As the new cyber czar, Schmidt will be tasked with developing a new comprehensive strategy to secure American networks, ensuring a unified response to cyber incidents, strengthening public-private partnerships and leading national campaign to promote cybersecurity awareness and education.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity coordinator faces political gauntlet

Howard Schmidt faced a difficult path to his new job as Obama’s cybersecurity coordinator, but now he must tread more carefully than ever, according to news reports and blogs across the Internet.

Cybersecurity

DHS biosurveillance center not getting enough data, GAO says

The DHS National Biosurveillance Integration Center is relying on Internet data at the moment because it has not been able to establish partnerships with federal agencies to get federal data, the GAO said in a new report.

Cybersecurity

Obama set to name cyber coordinator

White House confirms appointment of ex-Bush administration official Howard Schmidt, assures "regular access to the president."