Digital Government

Obama picks new interim GSA chief

Thirty eight-year veteran of the agency has replaced Jim Williams.

Digital Government

Farm Service Agency welcomes proposed funds for IT upgrade

Money included in the House's economic stimulus package would help FSA reduce delays in processing payments for farmers, officials say.

Cybersecurity

Napolitano asks for reports on cybersecurity, border protection

New homeland security secretary wants DHS offices to describe their authority to protect public and private networks, and their relationships with other agencies.

Modernization

What's Brewin: Baby Steps

The Army appears to have started a process that could lead to widespread use of wireless technologies for its classified networks.

Modernization

DNI nominee lists cybersecurity as priority

Dennis Blair, President Barack Obama's nominee to be the country's top intelligence official, said protecting networks is a priority.

People

POGO urges Obama to withdraw Lynn's nomination

A day after issuing an executive order with a new ban on lobbyists entering government, President Barack Obama issued a waiver to allow a former lobbyist to be deputy secretary of defense, the watchdog group says.

People

Obama wants reviews of Bush regulations

Obama administration officials want to read through the rules that the Bush administration left behind before those rules become permanent.

People

GAO: FAA's modernization improves

Financial regulation is a new area for reform, while information security and contracting continue as works in progress, government auditors say.

Ideas

Why Are Federal Web Sites So Bad?

Megan Mcardle, a blogger for <em>The Atlantic</em> (which is owned by Atlantic Media, the same company that owns Nextgov), <a href="http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/whitehousegov_gets_a_makeover.php">wonders why</a> the federal government is so bad at information technology -- and by IT, she means building useful Web sites. She says Obama's new whitehouse.gov site is "smart looking," but "unfortunately, that sleekness has been achieved by tucking even more of that unsightly information out of the way, where it won't mar the vista."

Modernization

Performance Institute starts InnoGOV site

The interactive site asks users to share innovations and insight to improve federal management.

Digital Government

Work in Progress: Upcoming FCW Features

The topics and contact information for 2009 FCW features.

Cybersecurity

Napolitano orders review of DHS' intelligence-sharing

Janet Napolitano, the Homeland Security Department's new secretary, has ordered officials to review and evaluate how the department shares intelligence with nonfederal authorities.