Digital Government
More on Thumb Drives
Lisa Schlosser, who runs the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Information Collection, who also serves as a reservist with the Amy's 1st Information Operations outfit, told me that she believes thumb drives serve a real function in easily transporting data from point "A" to point "B." Stick a drive on one computer, download a file, take the drive, go to another computer and copy a file from the thumb drive to that computer.
Modernization
Privacy debate gets new urgency
Balancing patient privacy with electronic records has always been tricky, but the new emphasis on health IT as an economic engine creates new concerns.
Digital Government
Two Top VA Slots Filled
President Obama has nominated W. Scott Gould, currently vice president for public sector strategy at IBM Global Business Services, as the next deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Modernization
VA chief stresses leadership for e-records
Shinseki commits to single electronic health record system by September and moving disability claims to electronic processing.
People
Social media tools slow to take root
Social-networking technologies generate a lot of buzz, but agency efforts to use them are still rare.
People
DHS turns to old model for R&D
Research centers can help with technology acquisitions, but they raise ethics concerns.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: The First Family's digital tether
There's no double standard in the White House when it comes to BlackBerry addiction.
Cybersecurity
DHS' volatile funding history
The total amount of funding for state and locals grants has varied greatly in the past six fiscal years.
People
Bush's legacy is Obama's uncertain mandate
The Bush administration did a commendable job of creating and expanding e-government programs. Now it falls to President Barack Obama to carry the effort forward.
Modernization
Sweat pants and metrics
Telework improves efficiency and reduces costs, but how can a manager know which employees are working hard and which are hardly working?
Acquisition
Partner or patsy?
The economic downturn gives agencies a tool for negotiating contract discounts – if they use it.
Ideas
Baker Tapped for VA CIO?
It looks like the Obama administration is vetting long-time federal IT executive Roger Baker for the chief information officer post at the Veterans Affairs Department, according to sources.
Cybersecurity
DHS prepares to deploy virtual fence
Lab testing of the Homeland Security Department's SBInet virtual fence revealed minor computer bugs that are expected to be fixed before construction begins in March or April, the program's director said.
Modernization