Modernization

6 tech trends government IT managers should be wary of

There are many good information technology innovations, but not all the current fads are good for government IT. Some trends are bad in general, and some are very bad for government IT managers in particular.

Modernization

Government, industry create threat forum for power grid

EnergySec has grown to include 200 members from the electric power industry, security vendors and government regulators since its formation in December to provide an alternative to the more formal ISAC for rapid sharing of information.

Digital Government

Inspector general questions Energy technology transfer program

Illinois lab's award of exclusive license for chemical monitoring system appeared to favor subcontractor.

Digital Government

Panel to probe contractor systems, subcontracting arrangements

Commission on Wartime Contracting will hold hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday looking into issues that emerged during research for an interim report.

Digital Government

TSA's CrewPASS passes muster

Federal News Radio

Digital Government

Using Twitter as a collective mood ring

The New York Times Blogs

Digital Government

Final public meeting on combating counterfeit technology this week

Industry and government officials hash out concerns about excessive liability for contractors.

Digital Government

GSA's new chief acquisition officer to wear multiple hats

Some IT industry executives question Michael Robertson's lack of procurement experience, but agency officials say he was hired to be an innovator.

Cybersecurity

IG fears risks to DHS stimulus money

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general has said DHS should work to mitigate risks that may affect its capability to prudently spend, manage and report on $2.8 billion it got in stimulus money, including hundreds of millions for technology.

Modernization

Security upgrades highlight DISA buying surge

The Defense Information Systems Agency plans to bolster security features embedded in its far-flung networks and data centers via several acquisition projects planned for the twilight of fiscal 2009.

Digital Government

General Eyeing Top Doc Job?

I'm picking up medium strength signals that retired <a href=http://www.health.mil/bioDetail.aspx?ID=4>Army Gen. Elder Granger</a>, who served as program executive officer for the TRICARE management activity in the Military Health System, would really like to become the next assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, replacing Dr. S. Ward Casscells, who <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090430_7776.php>retired this April</a>.

People

Insourcing fad misses the point (and misleads agencies)

Agencies that rush to bring contractor work back into the fold could be making a big mistake, according to several readers.

Ideas

Another Cyber Guru Leaves

The same week that the acting White House cyber chief stepped down, the Homeland Security Department has lost one of their cybersecurity officials. <em>The Washington Post</em> <a href=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/07/AR2009080702805.html>reported</a> that Mischel Kwon submitted her resignation after five years as the director of DHS' U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, or US-CERT, which was established in 2003 to coordinate the government's response to cyberattacks.

People

Michael Robertson becomes GSA's chief acquisition officer

Michael Robertson, who has worked closely with President Barack Obama since his 2004 Senate campaign, has become chief acquisition officer at GSA.