Cybersecurity

Report: Hackers penetrate DOD computer systems

The Wall Street Journal reports that hackers broke into computer systems that had data on DOD’s Joint Strike Fighter project.

People

Get a Life!: All in the family

Public service is sometimes a family affair with parents and children working for government, writes blogger Judy Welles.

Digital Government

Tech observers praise Obama's top IT choice

Appointment of Aneesh Chopra indicates the administration is serious about improving nation's technology infrastructure, government and industry leaders say.

Cybersecurity

Breach indicates need for stricter security requirements for contractor networks

In wake of data stolen on the Joint Strike Fighter, the government should develop cybersecurity standards that all federal contractors must follow.

Digital Government

Smaller, quicker IT development needed for Defense systems

New acquisition process would allow department to improve interoperability and integration issues as networks are built, science board reports.

Digital Government

IT officials push rewrite of outdated paperwork reduction policies

Regulations written before the rise of social media unintentionally add layers of bureaucracy.

Digital Government

IG On VA/SPAWAR Contract Mess

I have picked up some pretty good intelligence that the VA inspector general has just finished a report detailing mismanagement of contracts that the department's IT shop farmed out to the Space and Naval Systems Center.

Digital Government

Update: VA Patient Scheduling Debacle

The Veterans Affairs Department plans to conduct a "rigorous four moth review of potential options" for its long delayed $167 million <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090331_5665.php>patient scheduling system</a>, which crashed last month, a VA press secretary told me.

Ideas

New CTO to Wear Two Hats

Aneesh Chopra, the nation's first-ever chief technology officer, would serve as both "assistant to the president" and "associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy," if confirmed by the Senate, White House officials said on Monday.

People

Obama officials to find $100M

As government spending increases, the president wants more cuts in departmental spending.

Cybersecurity

HHS releases guidance on securing electronic health data

The department issues guidelines on encryption and destruction to protect sensitive personal health records.

Ideas

Oracle to Buy Sun

Officially squashing <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090318_5314.php>rumors</a> of an IBM purchase once and for all, Sun Micro Systems will be acquired by software company Oracle for about $7.4 billion, <em>The New York Times</em> <a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/technology/companies/21sun.html>reported</a> this morning.