Cybersecurity
DHS should assess effects of physical border fence, watchdog says
The GAO faulted Customs and Border Protection for spending $2.6 billion on physical fencing and vehicle barriers at the southwestern border without assessing their effectiveness.
Modernization
Geo-spill: Tracking the oil muck by GIS
State and federal officials are using a program from the Homeland Security Department to share geospatial data about the oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico.
Cybersecurity
FEMA mismanaged $40M IT system, IG says
FEMA made a mess of developing an IT system to oversee the National Flood Insurance Program, a new report says.
Cybersecurity
Senate committee chairman suggests killing the virtual fence
Sen. Joe Lieberman questions the future of the SBInet virtual fence system is a failure.
Digital Government
CIOs turns to portfolio management to get IT efforts under control
CIOs from the Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments and the Social Security Administration are looking to foster teamwork across traditional boundaries.
Digital Government
DHS names directors for US-CERT, National Cyber Security Division
The Homeland Security Department has named Randal Vickers director of US-CERT and picked Roberta Stempfley to head its National Cyber Security Division.
Cybersecurity
Union: Contractors weaken Federal Protective Service, placing feds at risk
The National Treasury Employees Union has complained to Congress that Federal Protective Service relies far too much on private contractors armed with too little training, too little funding, and too little proper management to protect federal buildings.
Digital Government
Federal employees union skeptical of building security 'enhancements'
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced this week two enhancements aimed at strengthening security at thousands of federal buildings.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Command nominee lays out rules of engagement
The nominee to head the Defense Department's new Cyber Command outlines how the command could respond to different cyberattack scenarios.
Cybersecurity
TSA contractors performed government-only work, IG concludes
TSA allowed contractors to review invoices for other contractors in apparent violation of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, according to a new report from the Homeland Security Department inspector general's office.
Cybersecurity
DHS inks deal with Germany for global trusted travelers
Homeland Security Department officials signed an agreement with Germany to integrate the countries' trusted traveler programs.
Cybersecurity
Senators look to Amsterdam for airport technology
Computer-based auto-detection technology deployed at Amsterdam’s airport to screen passengers for explosives could be useful in the United States, according to some senators.
Cybersecurity
Cyber chief slams security efforts
The White House's top cybersecurity official calls for needed measures to protect federal networks, some of which should have been done long ago.
Cybersecurity
GAO on board with Secure Flight plans
The Transportation Security Administration has generally achieved all 10 statutory conditions for its program to take over the checking of air travelers against watch lists.
Digital Government
DHS' updated infrastructure plan emphasizes systems resiliency
The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, updated by DHS, puts greater emphasis on the resiliency of critical systems, particularly IT systems, according to a GAO evaluation.
Cybersecurity
First responders connect via DHS online network
The Homeland Security Department hopes 500,000 local, state and federal first responders will join a new online professional network DHS has created for them.
Cybersecurity
DHS to hire 170 IT employees during next 18 months
Richard Spires, the CIO of the Homeland Security Department, said today his IT workforce will almost double by October 2011.
Cybersecurity
DHS undecided about US-VISIT air exit system
The Homeland Security Department is still undecided about pursuing a biometric system at airports to verify that non-U.S. citizens leave when required.
Cybersecurity
Social networking still a learning experience for agencies
Using new social media tools is still new to federal agencies and minor problems and missteps should be expected, several officials said today at the FOSE trade show.
Cybersecurity