Digital Government

Several agencies are headed for a modest increase in IT spending

SSA, Homeland Security, USDA and others receive boosts for technology projects.

Cybersecurity

DHS asks for nearly $1 billion to protect critical networks, systems

Cybersecurity funding is more than expected, but spending on bolstering security for critical infrastructures may fall short, say security specialists.

Digital Government

Veterans Affairs seeks 6 percent hike in IT spending for fiscal 2010

Large portion of increase would go to the Veterans Benefits Administration and to fund the development of a new financial management system.

Modernization

Budget boosts spending on Defense communications

Pentagon scales back Future Combat and Tactical Satellite systems.

Ideas

Cyber Breaches: Worse Than You Think

It may seem as if a new breach of some computer system or network is reported every couple of months; but actually, one security expert says it's worse than that.

Digital Government

Missed Buying an Enigma Machine

I like serendipity when it happens -- especially when it concerns something as odd as the current head of the National Security Agency and the German World War II encryption device known as the "<a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_machine>Enigma Machine</a>."

People

Senators grill VA's CIO nominee

Roger Baker answered senators' pointed questions about how he would deal with system failures and other IT problems at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Cybersecurity

Coordinated efforts needed to fight cyberattacks

Agencies must prepare to face adversaries capable of launching persistent attacks from multiple locations, experts say at a cybersecurity conference.

Acquisition

FCW Insider: The problem with publishing contractor performance data

Michael Lent, editor of Government Services Insider, questions the value of publishing contractor performance data publically available, given its dubious quality.

Digital Government

Coast Guard to harness ocean data to improve search and rescue

The Coast Guard can use maps of ocean surface currents to track probable paths of shipwreck victims and drifting lifeboats.

Cybersecurity

Expert: White House needs cybersecurity coordinator

An expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the job of securing government networks is too big for one person to be its operational leader.

Cybersecurity

Panel says it will approve millions more for swine flu

The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee said the group will approve spending more than $2 billion to deal with swine flu.

Modernization

Stimulus money site pressed for time

The Recovery.gov Web site for tracking economic stimulus law funds is racing to meet an October deadline, official says.