Digital Government

House panel's file sharing investigation may be misguided

Congress should compel agencies to stop employees from downloading peer-to-peer applications, security professionals say.

Cybersecurity

Decentralized Defense networks open to cyberattacks, report says

Task force calls for creation of departmentwide, interoperable systems and a netcentric cyber council.

Ideas

Hathaway Confirms What We Knew

In her first public speaking engagement since being named acting senior director for cyberspace by President Obama, Melissa Hathaway generally confirmed what was <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090403_9076.php?oref=search>previously reported</a> regarding the 60-day review of federal cybersecurity policies and initiatives: The White House should coordinate cybersecurity efforts; private sector needs to play a bigger role in securing cyberspace; and responsibility for the protection of federal computer networks and systems should be divvied among a number of agencies.

Digital Government

NSA, Margaret Mead and Green

When you think about organizations celebrating Earth Day - today, April 22 - the National Security Agency does not immediately come to mind.

Cybersecurity

Official: Cybersecurity review advances

President Barack Obama will review the results of the completed 60-day cybersecurity review, official says.

Cybersecurity

House panel wants cybersecurity briefing

After reports that information about the Joint Strike Fighter Program was stolen, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee requests a briefing.

Acquisition

Acquisition experts create new institute

The FAIR Institute intends to propose procurement proposals based on commercial and federal best practices.

People

OPM director sees major problems, bright spots

John Berry recognizes that little progress has been made since the 1980s in simplifying the hiring process and keeping federal pay equal to that in the private sector.

Digital Government

The Long Road to Acquisition Reform

In 1994 then Sen. William Cohen released a report titled "Computer Chaos: Billions Wasted Buying Federal Computer Systems." The report resonates even today with the release this month of a Defense Science Board <a href=http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/2009-04-IT_Acquisition.pdf>report</a> calling for the Defense Department to reform its information technology acquisition practices.

Cybersecurity

Experts: Clear data-sharing policies needed

Exports tell a Senate subcommittee that clear governmentwide policies are needed for sharing information believed to be related to terrorism.

Digital Government

Bill would help state auditors track money

A House committee chairman is writing legislation to provide federal funds to state auditors to help them oversee spending under the stimulus law.

Modernization

Agencies to hold online talk with IT community

Starting April 27, OMB and the stimulus oversight board will ask the IT community how to best achieve transparency for reporting spending under the economic stimulus law.

Acquisition

McCaskill: IGs need greater authority

Inspectors general told a Senate panel that they must have more authority to access databases and investigate contractors.

Cybersecurity

Researchers: Botnet infects thousands of government computers

Company officials say nearly 2 million computers have been infected — some on U.S. government networks.