Modernization

Cisco launches interoperable communications system

The IP Interoperability and Collaboration System uses IP to allow radios to interoperate with one another and with other IP-based devices.

Modernization

DOD creates new office to manage business systems

The Defense Department’s chaotic business system programs now have a new boss.

Modernization

DOD, industry on alert for Wilma

Northern Command orders Army to get service and vendor teams ready to provide communications if monster hurricane hits the United States.

Modernization

CIO Council wants standards-based best practices

The council's focus over the next year will be on collecting agency and industry examples in telecommunications, IT security, portfolio management, disaster recovery and contingency planning, and the business value of IT.<@SM><@SM><@SM>

Modernization

Buyer bill would give Veterans Affairs CIO IT budget authority

The chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee has introduced legislation that would give the Veterans Affairs Department’s CIO authority over the department’s IT budget, personnel and assets in an effort to improve VA’s IT management.

Modernization

Outdated tech delays GPO contract award

Government Printing Office delayed a technology procurement because technologies submitted are already outdated.

Modernization

HandsOn: Computing in the dark

Standard batteries for laptop computers are still limited, but a few improvements are on the horizon.

Modernization

The search for 1,000 points of light

NASA's Ames Research Center hopes Google will help IT explore the final frontier

Modernization

Broadband interference

Internet over power lines may jam airwaves, but remedies exist

Modernization

Army doubles Savi RFID contracts

Army increases contract for active radio frequency identification tags and readers used to track supplies delivered to Iraq.

Modernization

the Pipeline

Channeling Houdini. Management to the max.

Modernization

Power search

Could search commercial technology replace some information management standards?

Modernization

Web extra: Broadband over power lines not suited for rural areas

The technology may be too expensive to deploy in remote and rural areas at this time, experts say.

Modernization

The need for speed

SGI boosts application performance with reconfigurable gate arrays

Modernization

Officials: How much security is enough?

National security experts say federal standards can help in managing the country’s considerable risk of a disruptive cyber event.

Modernization

Procurement is key to security, IT execs say

Procurement officers have the power to significantly improve the security of government IT systems by including software reliability and security requirements in the contracts they award to vendors—and strengthen the country’s cyberinfrastructure in the process.

Modernization

IT security requirement baked into FAR

One of the final pieces to improved agency IT security across government finally is in place: As of Sept. 30, contracting officers must include cybersecurity requirements in acquisition planning.

Modernization

OMB expects more details on paperwork cuts

Agencies not meeting paperwork reduction goals will have to electronically file information with the Office of Management and Budget about how they are complying with burden reduction laws.

Modernization

Broader implementation of HSPD-12 could boost PKI use

Government implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 could spur more effective use of digital certificates by agencies.

Modernization

VA testing methods to gain more value from DOD demographic data

The Veterans Affairs Department has begun testing how to define or characterize demographic data imported from the Defense Department that VA could store in a repository for use among the many services that require such data.<@SM>