Cybersecurity
IT spending expected to climb during Obama administration
Precise estimates for technology investments are elusive.
Digital Government
Microsoft Debuts Virtualized Windows Exam
The Microsoft Learning group introduced its first virtual lab-based MCP exam this week.
Ideas
IT Spending Up 7% (and Counting)
Most information technology executives were counting on President Obama to goose federal tech spending when he took office. The reasoning goes this way: Technology helped fuel his run for president during the campaign and he's basically a <a href=http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2009/01/obama_reunuted_with_blackberry.php?oref=search>technophile</a>.
Digital Government
The Good News and Bad News
First, the good news. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today unanimously <a href= http://veterans.senate.gov/press-releases.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=9bd6e171-5de3-4eed-982d-99335b6d7aff_>approved the nomination</a> of Roger Baker as assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Ideas
IG Throws Flag on Census
The Census Bureau's ongoing address canvassing exercises have been a topic of public interest lately, because it will be the only opportunity for the bureau to make use of the handheld computers it <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080925_8186.php?oref=search">spent $800 million developing</a>.
Modernization
Leading the Army's technology charge
Army Maj. Gen. Nickolas Justice, who presides over a diverse group of programs at the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications Tactical, discusses the benefits of service-oriented architecture and open-source software.
People
Welles: New book provides fresh take on many familiar business ideas
You are bound to find some truths that work for you in a new book, "Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self," by Alan Webber. Webber gives all of them a new context that keeps them current.
Cybersecurity
Can we trust evaluations?
The government could publish internal evaluations of contractor performance, but in many cases, they are not reliable guides.
Modernization
Obama launches new era in government technology
It's too early to judge accomplishment of the young Obama administration, but look at the daily dialogue and the high priority given to IT issues to find cause for both opportunity and challenge. Everyone is talking about cloud computing, visualization, mashups, social networking and virtualization of everything from servers to training programs and running government operations in the virtual world of Second Life.
People
Drapeau: Public affairs efforts can borrow from nimble jazz music
Coordination of a public affairs effort in government is similar to jazz improvisation — an office has a strategic theme, but tactically, improvisation must also occur. And one lesson from the military is the notion of "commander's intent."
Modernization
Napolitano wants millions for IT
Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano told a House committee today about DHS' plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in IT systems.
People
House passes technology R&D bill
The measure seeks to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, industry and academia on IT research and development projects.
Modernization
IG: DHS data centers at risk
The Homeland Security Department didn't consider risks from hurricanes when it set up its new backup data center in Mississippi, according to a new report.
Cybersecurity
Information-sharing platform hacked
A DHS official confirmed that the department's platform for sharing sensitive but unclassified information with partner organizations was recently hacked.
Cybersecurity