Cybersecurity

Current 'Whac-A-Mole' cybersecurity approach not a winner, DHS official says

Bruce McConnell, counselor to DHS' top cybersecurity official, said more personnel, better user authentication, security metrics, and automated responses are needed to make systems more secure.

Ideas

(Mail)Man Vs. Machine

Federal auditors on Thursday reported that workforce costs at the U.S. Postal Service decreased only slightly this year, despite automation at USPS.

Emerging Tech

Mapping $641M in classroom technology

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Emerging Tech

Old mainframes hinder Social Security's move to online services

Agency should transfer data from aging mainframe databases so new Web applications under development can easily tap into the data for the public.

Digital Government

Bill to increase oversight of IT projects gets big boost from report

GAO finds $3 billion in cost overruns for IT projects, adding support for a Senate proposal requiring agencies to post reasons for cost overruns on major projects.

Ideas

A HIPAA Twist That Can Hurt

Today at the TechAmerica panel discussion on identity management, Rick Kam of ID Experts brought up an interesting anecdote that illustrates the importance of using precise language when crafting information security legislation. Kam said confusion over the wording of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPAA">Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act</a> (HIPAA) has led to some victims of medical identity theft being locked out of their own medical records.

Digital Government

Anti-Social Feds

If the Obama administration still <a href=http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2009/10/o_gov_directive_not_this_month.php>hasn't issued its directive</a> on how agencies should pursue transparency, collaboration and participation with the public, but it may want to first encourage federal managers to use these tools.

Digital Government

It's Getting Crowded Up There

The U.S.. Strategic Command oversees a lot of operations and assets, including the country's nuclear strike force, missile defense, satellites and cyberspace operations. But the STRATCOM commander views a midspace collision of two satellites this February as the "seminal event" of the year.

Digital Government

SSA urged to adopt more open systems

SSA should develop more open IT systems as it modernizes, according to recommendations released in a white paper by the Computer & Communications Industry Association.

Cybersecurity

Automated apps take sweat out of security compliance

New automated tools can help agencies get some of the voluminous security configuration data required under the Federal Information Security Management Act. But the tools aren't a cure-all.