Cybersecurity

Momentum growing to strengthen information security requirements

Federal systems are still vulnerable to cyberattacks, so agencies need metrics to measure how secure their systems are and where they remain vulnerable.

Cybersecurity

Obama's IT cuts for K-12 could jeopardize schools' cybersecurity

With more than half of all districts having experienced a cyberattack in the past year, technology directors say more federal money is needed.

Digital Government

Senators skim over open government during CTO confirmation hearing

Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee members say virtually nothing to nominee Aneesh Chopra during question-and-answer session.

People

Get a Life: Flu remedy: Telework

A survey finds more feds know there are COOP plans but few get guidance for H1N1 flu. At most prepared agencies, more employees telework, writes blogger Judy Welles.

Digital Government

HERBB's Not Here

I've spent the past two work days attempting -- to no avail -- to access documents on an upcoming procurement on the Hanscom [Mass.] Air Force Base Electronic Request for Proposals Bulletin Board, known as <a href=http://www.herbb.hanscom.af.mil/>HERBB</a>, which the Air Force Electronic Systems Center operates.

Digital Government

Rethinking Video Conferencing

A couple of years ago, the Defense Information Systems Agency cranked up a <a href=https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=core&s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e0df5e4191fab7cf3d34369fba79a69e&cck=1&au=&ck=>procurement</a> for the operation and maintenance of its video conferencing hubs scattered nationwide. The sites were essentially television studios for generals and other top Defense Department officials, but today, practically everyone has a TV studio attached to their computer - a camera and a microphone.

People

5 ways social media will change how feds work

From the Government Leadership Summit: Government and industry experts say social networking technology soon will reshape the daily operations of agencies and individual employees.

Ideas

Black Swans in IT

IT has always been a risk-filled enterprise. That's because software development is a first-of-a-kind undertaking. Programmers write programs to make software and hardware systems function in new ways. Often, the novelty of the development effort is small, requiring minor adjustments to existing programs. In this case, development risk is generally low. To the extent that the programming entails exploring truly new territory, then development risk goes up.

Cybersecurity

Smart grid standards released

The government has released a list of 16 interoperability and security standards for the smart electric grid.

People

CMS to spend $905M on IT systems support

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will develop IT systems to monitor incentive payments to doctors and hospitals.

Modernization

CBP to spend $100M on SBInet

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it will use the money to improve its border surveillance technology and communications.

People

Lee joins Professional Services Council

Deidre Lee held some of the top federal acquisition roles during a 32-year government career.

Cybersecurity

Air Force selects cyber headquarters site

A new, numbered Air Force headquarters dedicated to cyber issues will likely be located at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, officials said.

Acquisition

Bills back GSA Multiple Award program

The GSA Multiple Award Schedules program is often the first step for small business entering the federal contracting marketplace.

Modernization

FBI expands use of social media

The FBI is expanding its outreach efforts through social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.