People

Get a Life!: Inaugural holiday?

Closure of federal offices could be a test of continuity-of-operations plans.

People

DHS consolidates recruiting systems

The department will use an e-Recruitment program to consolidate more 50 separate systems used to recruit and hire employees.

People

Coalition urges national broadband strategy

Organizations want policies that would include providing more access to the Internet, government support for enhancing broadband use.

Digital Government

Also in the News: Canadians drop border data sharing with U.S.

Canada has dropped plans to let the U.S. create a database for personal information about Canadians crossing the border, according to the Canadian TV news station CKWS.

Digital Government

Mid-size contractors feel edged out by small and large companies

More data on midtier companies and a stronger lobby could raise groups' visibility, say government observers.

Digital Government

Groups urge Obama to adopt national broadband strategy

Coalition issues plan calling from affordable rates, computer training, faster speeds and wider deployment in underserved rural areas.

Digital Government

Agency to assess value of electronic health networks

Researchers will canvass Colorado providers to find out if they've found an online information exchange useful.

Ideas

Simple: Replace Feds With Tech

None

People

Acquisition leaders concerned about eroding workforce

Agencies should provide better training and useful oversight to improve the procurement process, according to a survey of acquisition experts.

People

GAO: Mixed progress on SES diversity

The percentage of female and minority senior executives increased overall but declined at one-third of major agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management.

People

TSA wants companies to test technology

The Transportation Security Administration is asking companies to participate in a pilot program to test screening technologies for air cargo.

People

Transition Watch: Obama faces major problems with DHS

Significant management challenges, an urgent requirement for investment in human capital and a growing list of acquisition programs need to be resolved.

People

GAO: DHS slow to upgrade border security

Auditors report that the department has implemented only 11 of 50 recommendations for upgrading border security.

Digital Government

U.K. seeks tougher penalties for data loss

The actions come after several problems for the government, including the loss of a USB drive holding data on 84,000 prisoners.

People

IG: TSA needs better ways to catch criminals

Airline employees had smuggled guns and marijuana aboard a commercial flight.

Modernization

Letter: Information security effort same as previous efforts

A reader writes to say plans to publish the most effective protections against the vulnerabilities most often exploited in cyberattacks is not new.

Cybersecurity

Melding Security

None

Digital Government

State Department unveils social networking site

Initiative is the department's latest effort to promote international dialogue among young people.

Digital Government

FDA to deploy system to screen imported foods

PREDICT to meld data from various sources to flag foreign foodstuffs for further tests.

Digital Government

Web sites seek to identify source of hold on bailout IG

Blogs have successfully appealed to readers to learn which senators have blocked bills in the past.