Modernization

Veterans’ benefits agency tightens data security

The Veterans Benefits Administration is taking additional steps to ensure that veterans’ data is secure.

Modernization

Dennett promises accountability, better prices

Paul Denett, the nominee to be Office of Federal Procurement Policy administrator, promised to be vigilant in assuring that the government gets the best prices on services it procures.<@SM>

Modernization

DHS Special Report | Can DHS meet IT cybersecurity expectations?

The Homeland Security Department’s stagnant cybersecurity program stands in stark contrast to its progress in other IT areas. The job of assistant secretary for cybersecurity and telecommunications remains open, as it has been since secretary Michael Chertoff created it last October.

Modernization

DHS Special Report | Integration takes root

A modest number of IT and security initiatives are now gaining traction in the Homeland Security Department—including border screening and targeting programs, port and harbor monitoring, and the use of geospatial mapping to improve disaster response, as GCN <a href="http://www.gcn.com/print/25_16/"><b>reported last week</b></a>. In this, the second of a two-part special report on DHS, GCN looks at several fledgling and pending IT projects that form pockets of promise.

Modernization

DHS Special Report | Component approach aiding IT infrastructure consolidation

Until last October, the Homeland Security Department did not even have a global access directory—a basic requirement for a large organization. Employees couldn’t find each other if they were in different DHS directorates. Now, secretary Michael Chertoff can send an all-department e-mail with a few select addresses instead of sending it to each component agency and ordering it to cascade through those organizations.<@SM>

Modernization

Phoenix teams with immixTechnology

Three Phoenix Technologies products are now available through immixTechnology.

Modernization

Key House leader pushes for FAA telecom project funding

Verizon lobbies to kill troubled FAA effort.

Modernization

Deadbolts for databases

Add-on tools offer the last line of defense for keeping hackers away from sensitive information

Modernization

DOD Global Broadcast System goes two-way

A DISA engineering team incorporated a commercial, two-way satellite TV standard into GBS.

Modernization

Supercomputing takes NASA to infinity and beyond

From science to space exploration, the world’s fourth-fastest computer is an agency asset.

Modernization

Taming mobile data

5 steps and 3 tools to stop sensitive information from walking out the door

Modernization

Migrating to IPv6

With deadlines looming, agencies need to get serious about upgrading their data networks to the next-generation IP.

Modernization

Roadblocks hamper emergency response system coordination

Federal funding and a lack of standards affect compatible communications at the state level.

Modernization

The Pipeline

Just like peaches and cream; Wi-Fi on steroids.

Modernization

DOD, military take hands-on approach to QDR

The writers of the Quadrennial Defense Review are now shifting gears to become executors of the guidance.<@SM>

Modernization

Diamonds in the data

Federal agencies increasingly use data mining to extract valuable info buried in large databases.

Modernization

Interior's NBC doubles shared services for federal savings board

The Interior Department’s National Business Center will provide shared services under both the Financial Management and Human Resources lines of business to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board starting next month.<@SM>

Modernization

Doan starts tenure at GSA with splash

Lurita Doan promised one thing in her first public address since taking the reins at the General Services Administration last month—change. Her first big one was bringing in Jim Williams, the program manager for one of the government’s highest-profile, politically toughest challenges—the U.S. Visit project at the Homeland Security Department.

Modernization

DHS Special Report | Forward Motion

Even as the Homeland Security Department has stumbled through project failures, stalled during leadership vacuums and withstood withering criticism, DHS has delivered some projects that serve as exemplars of technology management and are improving prospects for better project performance.<@SM>

Modernization

VA orders Microsoft products through veteran-owned reseller

The contract awarded to MicroTech is worth as much as $365 million.