Ideas

Mashups Finger Stimulus Fishiness

A federal mashup tool has generated tips for investigations into stimulus fraud and fingered ineligible people who are receiving funds, the independent watchdog overseeing stimulus spending told lawmakers on Thursday.

Digital Government

UK Eyes Selling Off Its Weather Service

The <a href= http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/>Met Office,</a> the United Kingdom's version of the National Weather Service is on the sales block, the Times of London <a href= http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article6920675.ece>reported</a> yesterday.

Digital Government

Managing in the Information Age

The looming retirement wave and subsequent efforts to replace retiring workers brings an opportunity for how organizations can function better, according to a new <a href="http://www.mspb.gov/netsearch/viewdocs.aspx?docnumber=457394&version=458606&application=ACROBAT">report</a> by the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Cybersecurity

DHS proposes permanent status for biometrics-based traveler program

The Homeland Security Department wants to expand a program that uses biometrics to verify identity and speed processing times for airline passengers.

Digital Government

Panel Approves Domestic Partner Benefits

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday passed legislation that would provide health care and other benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian federal employees. Approval of domestic partner benefits would bring the government in line with the majority of Fortune 100 companies, including several major technology companies. Alyssa Rosenberg has the complete details of the markup <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=44075&dcn=todaysnews">here</a>.

Digital Government

Data expert to feds: Open wide—or fail

Providing accurate and easily accessible data is the best way to achieve open government goals, a data mapping expert says.

Ideas

DHS: Former 'whipping boy' of Congress

The Homeland Security Department served as "the whipping boy" of Congress during the Bush administration, which only magnified challenges faced by the young organization, said the former cyber chief of DHS during a roundtable discussion Thursday.

Digital Government

FAA identifies computer error that caused delays

A software problem that caused flight delays across the country today was not the first serious hiccup Federal Aviation Administration computer systems have suffered in recent years.

Digital Government

DHS to take a closer look at IT spending

DHS prepares for less funding with reviews of major buys, including IT acquisitions, official says.

People

Ethics rule could slow DOD's revolving employment door

Defense Department employees who have worked on large procurements must get a written opinion from an ethics officer before signing on with a defense contractor.

Cybersecurity

SSA should keep a close eye on computer access, IG says

The Social Security Administration is generally following FISMA guidelines, but needs to do more close monitoring of computer access controls, SSA's inspector general finds.