Cybersecurity

DHS sets new policy on computer searches at border

DHS issued two new directives that deal with searches of laptop computers and other devices at U.S. borders.

Modernization

Air Force angers small businesses with code decision

Officials are opting for a NAICS code that sets a larger small-business size standard after switching this spring from a code with a more restrictive size standard.

People

VA blames coding error for fatal disease scare

The VA now blames computer coding error for wrongly informing about 620 veterans that they have the fatal Lou Gehrig's disease.

People

SSA testing Microsoft HealthVault

SSA has made an agreement with Microsoft HealthVault to link to patient medical data to improve the determinations of disability.

Modernization

Microsoft continues battle to save Word

Microsoft's appeal essentially argues that a district court judge who held against it was incompetent as a gatekeeper and in striking the "delicate balance" needed in patent law disputes.

Modernization

Army expects new network to reduce costs 65 percent

The Army has ordered a new optical network linking White Sands and Fort Bliss that it expects to cut costs by more than half.

Modernization

Analysis: Still struggling to protect remote data

Three years after encryption mandate, transmitting information from the field continues to be risky.

Digital Government

District court rules in favor of Homeland Security on E-Verify

DHS did not violate law by requiring federal contractors to confirm work eligibility of their employees.

Digital Government

Regulations.gov glitch prevents comments from reaching agencies

July outage, revealed a month later, should have been reported immediately, transparency advocates say.

Modernization

NASA could outsource flights, insource IT

While budget woes leave future space missions in question, the department's cloud computing programs could help curb costs.

Digital Government

IG: VA has widespread problems with management of IT projects

Report focuses on the failure of $167 million program to develop a patient appointment system.

Digital Government

CBP to continue searches of travelers' laptops

Homeland Security's new policy does not require reasonable suspicion, to the dismay of civil liberties groups.

Digital Government

Paper-Based Records Interchange?

Based on an <a href= https://www.mpm.osd.mil/documents/MRWG_June_Brief_061709Final.ppt(S).pdf>internal briefing</a> from early this summer which made its way to my inbox, it looks like the Defense Department is scanning a large heap of medical records so the Veterans Affairs Department can access them.

Ideas

DHS Announces Laptop Search Policy

The Department of Homeland Security today <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251393255852.shtm">released</a> three new directives aimed at clarifying the agency's policies on Customs <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080624_3037.php">searches of laptop computers</a> at the U.S. border:<blockquote>"Keeping Americans safe in an increasingly digital world depends on our ability to lawfully screen materials entering the United States," said Secretary Napolitano. "The new directives announced today strike the balance between respecting the civil liberties and privacy of all travelers while ensuring DHS can take the lawful actions necessary to secure our borders."