Digital Government

Agencies may be unable to meet request for downloadable data

Much of government data is stored in a format not conducive for searching and manipulating -- requirements that will be part of the open government directive, e-gov professionals say.

Cybersecurity

NRC, FERC to cooperate on cybersecurity for nuke plants

Regulatory commissions will coordinate to protect nuclear power facilities.

Ideas

Kundra: Transparency Will Take Time

Speaking at a Washington conference on government technology, the <a href="http://www.gov2summit.com/">Gov 2.0 Summit</a>, this morning, federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra acknowledged that to achieve the transparency the Obama administration has promised there would need to be upgrades to many agencies' antiquated IT infrastructures. Delivering those upgrades on the other hand, may be a task that outlasts both Kundra and the administration.

Ideas

More Recovery Funds for Airport Security

The Homeland Security Department will infuse airports with $35.4 million in recovery funds to enhance security, bringing the total amount of recovery dollars dedicated to screening and explosives detection technology to $1 billion.

People

National health network needs incentives too

The United States runs the risk of ending up with 50 separate health IT networks — and all the headaches they entail.

Digital Government

Retirement Roundup

Alex Parker's <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?filepath=/dailyfed/0909/091009pb.htm">Pay & Benefits Watch column</a> highlights several pieces of legislation affecting federal employees that Congress left unresolved at the end of July. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., on Wednesday sent a letter to House conferees participating in negotiations regarding the fiscal 2010 Defense Authorization bill (<a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.02647:">H.R. 2647</a>), urging them to retain the federal employee provisions included in the House-passed version of the bill.

Modernization

It’s not about cookies; it’s about service

Web analytics tools can improve online government services without compromising privacy, writes Alex Langshur, president of the Web Analytics Association.

Digital Government

VA Kicks Off Innovation Competition

Last month, President Obama <a href="http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2009/08/obama_and_the_911_gi_bill.php">suggested</a> the Veterans Affairs Department tap its employees for ideas on how to cut the claims backlog at the Veterans Benefit Administration. Today, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki kicked off the "Innovation Competition," open to VA employees on an internal Web site.

Digital Government

Aides defend presidential powers in cybersecurity bill

Senate aides familiar with proposed comprehensive cybersecurity legislation say the bill would clarify the president’s authority for dealing with a cyberattack, not give the government sweeping new powers.

Cybersecurity

Contractors lose bid to suspend E-Verify enforcement

A second attempt to delay the E-Verify rule from becoming effective for federal contractors has failed

Acquisition

How contractors can help agencies save money

The contracting community should work together to find creative ways to meet OMB’s goal of reducing contract spending.

Modernization

Version 2.0 of spending site to debut in October

The new iteration of the Recovery.gov spending site with expanded mapping and other features will go live by Oct. 10, a top official said today.

People

10 bloggers on the government IT beat

The convergence of government, business, people and technology covers a territory at least the size of the Beltway. A small army of bloggers helps focus and enrich the discussion with contributions to news gathering and trend spotting.

Digital Government

Do federal hiring processes discourage qualified applicants?

Although officials lament the shortage of qualified IT security professionals to fill critical roles in government ranks, one frustrated applicant complains that cumbersome hiring policies discourage those who want the jobs.

Digital Government

New technology gives White House a wealth of outreach opportunites

Macon Phillips talks about his challenges as White House new media director.

Digital Government

OMB architect identifies 'semantic harmonization' as key to effective enterprise architecture

The Federal Enterprise Architecture is moving toward a more shared architecture that looks across boundaries, according to Kshemendra Paul, chief architect with the Office of Management and Budget.

Digital Government

Facebook sets up government page

The site will help agencies set up their own outreach pages.

Modernization

Top 10 most prolific agencies on YouTube

In pursuit of this country's video-watching citizenry, the government is using YouTube to get the word out. Take a look at our list of those agencies pushing their message to the ever-shrinking screen.