Cybersecurity

Twitter, Facebook are part of new terror alert system

The Homeland Security Department has set up a new Twitter account and will be issuing alerts on its Facebook page and website as part of its new national terror alert system to replace the color-coded threat system.

Cybersecurity

E-Verify improves but still can't detect ID theft, GAO says

The Homeland Security Department's E-Verify employment verification system has gotten better at processing applications on the first try but still remains vulnerable to identity theft, a new report says.

Cybersecurity

After SBINet: DHS' new border control strategy

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the results of a year-long reassessment of the controversial SBInet electronic border surveillance system program.

Digital Government

IG Skinner to leave DHS

Inspector General Richard Skinner will be leaving his role as a federal government watchdog on March 1 after 42 years of service.

Cybersecurity

CBP to hire 1,000 IT workers during fiscal 2011

Ken Ritchhart, deputy assistant commissioner of Customs and Border Protection's Office of Information Technology, today updated the hiring and transformation efforts there.

Digital Government

Coast Guard CFO takes blame for $138M in misspending

The service's Chief Financial Officer takes sole responsibility for $138 million worth of apparent violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act.

Cybersecurity

DHS left gaps in Quadrennial Review, says GAO

The Homeland Security Department completed its first Quadrennial Review earlier this year without fully addressing what Congress asked for, according to a GAO audit.

Cybersecurity

Napolitano calls for cybersecurity partnership

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the government is emphasizing cybersecurity in part because it has ramifications beyond the Internet.

Cybersecurity

DHS makes moderate progress on IT management, IG says

The Homeland Security Department got moderate scores for IT management, acquisition and emergency management in a new report from Inspector General Richard Skinner.

Cybersecurity

Fusion centers hampered by limitations of DHS nets, IG says

The Homeland Security Department's ability to share intelligence information through IT with state and local authorities is improving, but still has significant gaps, an audit finds.

Cybersecurity

DHS boosts E-Verify with links to passport photo database

The Homeland Security Department is checking the authenticity of U.S. passport photos with the State Department for people seeking to prove their identity to the E-Verify employment verification system.

Digital Government

Cyber 'epidemic' grows more urgent

With cyber threats to linked systems a potential epidemic, a panel of security leaders call for government to step up efforts on standards, collaboration and raising public awareness.

Digital Government

Emergency access granted in test of interoperable ID system

An emergency preparedness event involving federal, state and private-sector officials demonstrated ID verification technology to scan and clear first responders from federal, state, local and commercial organizations.

Digital Government

Agencies hard hit by shortage of cybersecurity pros

Programs are under way to identify, educate and provide career paths for potential cybersecurity professionals demanded by government and private industry, a panel of experts said, but it will be years before the pipeline is producing.

Digital Government

DOD, DHS working on one-two punch for cybersecurity

The Defense and Homeland Security departments have launched an initiative to share analysts and coordinate their cyber operations to protect critical infrastructure in the United States.

Cybersecurity

GAO, DHS at odds on SBInet management

Homeland Security officials say the GAO didn't give a clear picture of how their agency's handling the program to secure the U.S. border.

Cybersecurity

FEMA has gaps in disaster IT systems, IG says

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made moderate progress in most key areas since 2008 but still has weak spots in disaster preparedness, according to a new audit.

Modernization

DHS falls short on data-center consolidation, IG says

A new audit says DHS should work harder to fix shortcomings in its data-center consolidation plans.

Cybersecurity

DHS used Facebook for investigations, group reveals

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has released two policy memos about a policy dating to the administration of President George W. Bush of "friending" and "following" people on Facebook and Twitter for the purpose of investigations.