People
E-government at funding crossroads
Congressional appropriators have applied spending restrictions that would leave the 25 government-wide projects and Lines of Business initiatives struggling to move forward. Committee staff people on the Hill insist Congress doesn’t have anything against e-government, but that agencies’ failure to explain the value of the projects has caused lawmakers to balk at funding the cross-agency systems.
Modernization
USPS gets a lift
When the Postal Service launched an initiative to better maintain safety records for its industrial vehicles, the goal was modest—reduce the agency’s reporting burden. Well over a year later, though, the Powered Industrial Vehicle Management System has produced a significant number of benefits, not only automating the reporting process but improving safety and helping USPS better manage its industrial fleet.
Modernization
OMB sets one-hour data breach rule
With the deluge of recent data breaches, the Office of Management and Budget is pushing agencies toward stricter IT security accountability. Agencies now have a clear standard for reporting all incidents and a comprehensive definition of personally identifiable information.
Modernization
Report: E-prescribing can reduce drug injuries
The use of electronic prescribing by physicians could avoid many of the 1.5 million annual preventable drug injuries, according to the Institute of Medicine.<@SM>
Modernization
Is the financial LOB ready for prime time?
Depending on who you talk to, the Labor Department’s decision to tap the private sector for financial-management hosting services is a clear example either of what is right or wrong with the way the White House has pursued the Financial Management Line of Business initiative.<@SM>
Modernization
DHS authorization bill: A mandate for info sharing
The House bill calls for DHS to establish a comprehensive IT network architecture.
Cybersecurity
House bill boosts DHS CIO, security positions
The officers would gain direct control over the budgets, workforce and operations of various DHS agencies.
People
Bill could restore funding to OPM retirement program
The Senate Appropriations Committee added $26.7 million to the Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill for the Retirement Systems Modernization program.
People
Scam exploits Treasury e-payment system
The IRS is warning taxpayers about a new e-mail scam that uses the Treasury Department's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System as a hook to lure individuals into disclosing their personal information.<@SM><@SM><@SM>
People
DHS names new privacy officer
Hugo Teufel III previously worked for the Interior Department and the state of Colorado.
People
Senate committee proposes cuts to DOD budget
The Defense Subcommittee reduced President Bush's request by $9 billion.
Cybersecurity
DOE: No privacy on agency computers
New policy requires employees and contractors to acknowledge in writing that investigators can have access to their DOE computers, and even affects the public.
Modernization
CIOs crucial to financial-management performance
Chief financial officers are in agreeement that as agencies modernize their financial management systems, they must reach out to and collaborate with their CIO counterparts.<@SM>
Modernization
From point A to Z—and back again
Today’s business process management software streamlines both human and system interactions.<@SM><@SM>
Cybersecurity
DHS disputes GAO purchase card criticism
The department says the assessment of card abuse is overstated.
People
CIOs, CFOs must collaborate, panel says
As financial management systems evolve, their roles are becoming more intertwined, IAC/ACT panel participants said.
People
IT council praises DHS
The IT Sector Coordinating Council cited the National Infrastructure Protection Plan for its “pragmatic and progressive approach" to critical infrastructure protection.
Modernization
VHA takes its forms online
As a Vietnam veteran of the Army Nursing Corps, Mary Stout has seen her share of government forms and paperwork. In her current role as the Veterans Health Administration’s chief of forms, publications and records management, Stout has labored to move the agency from paper to electronic forms.
Cybersecurity
DARPA awards security pact
Analex won a one-year contract with four one-year options and a total potential value of $64.9 million.
Modernization