Cybersecurity

DHS sets new policy on computer searches at border

DHS issued two new directives that deal with searches of laptop computers and other devices at U.S. borders.

Cybersecurity

DHS, industry assess risks to IT sector

Government and private-sector experts identify risks to the country's information technology sector's key functions.

Cybersecurity

House members to TSA: Don't destroy Registered Traveler data

Two senior House members hit TSA for plans to delete personal data collected by the Registered Traveler program vendor that shut down.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard gets good marks on enterprise architecture

The Coast Guard has made progress on its enterprise architecture efforts, but should finish documentation, planning and get needed resources, the Homeland Security Department's inspector general says.

Cybersecurity

Passenger screening program to collect more data

U.S. airlines will begin collecting passengers' dates of birth and gender when they make reservations under the Transportation Security Administration’s Secure Flight program.

Cybersecurity

DHS plans cybersecurity wiki

The Homeland Security Department plans a new wiki that federal cybersecurity centers would use to coordinate efforts and improve situational awareness.

Cybersecurity

DHS expands global trusted traveler program

DHS' international trusted traveler program is expanding to more airports this month.

Modernization

DHS starts social network about Southwestern border

The Homeland Security Department is using a site called Ning.com to host a new social network that focuses on topics related to the Southwest border.

Cybersecurity

Business groups want Congress to address E-Verify concerns

TechAmerica and others ask lawmakers to deal with their worries about E-Verify.

Cybersecurity

IG fears risks to DHS stimulus money

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general has said DHS should work to mitigate risks that may affect its capability to prudently spend, manage and report on $2.8 billion it got in stimulus money, including hundreds of millions for technology.

Cybersecurity

US-CERT director resigns

Mischel Kwon, director of the Homeland Security Department's operational cybersecurity team that handles cyber incident detection, warning and response activities for civilian agencies’ networks, has resigned. She will join RSA in early September.

Cybersecurity

Rising Star Alma Ritter Cole

Cole led the response to the Adobe Reader JBIG2 vulnerability. His team identified and tracked multiple spear-phishing e-mail messages that attempted to exploit this vulnerability. His team also tackled other zero-day security threats — that is, flaws for which no fixes are available.

Cybersecurity

Rising Star Anthony Hoang

Hoang smoothed the way for adopting the National Information Exchange Model as a way to improve information sharing across DHS and between the department and its partners in federal, state and local governments. He also persuaded senior executives at DHS and DOD to transition the Maritime Information Exchange Model, a competitor to NIEM, into NIEM.

Cybersecurity

Auditors hit HUD, immigration services

USCIS and HUD were scolded for gaps in IT management, but USCIS hit back.

Cybersecurity

Regulators urged to lighten up on award-fee rules

Agencies asked regulators to avoid more burdensome rules and reporting requirements.

Cybersecurity

Airline crew members get fingerprint IDs

TSA has approved standards for a fingerprint identification program for pilots and other airline crew members.

Modernization

Agencies get creative to recruit acquisition workforce

Administration officials say new ideas are being tried to expand the acquisition workforce.

Cybersecurity

Hathaway's departure renews worries about cyberczar vacancy

The resignation of Melissa Hathaway, the Obama administration’s acting senior director for cyberspace, has brought renewed scrutiny on the administration's effort to secure the online world.

Cybersecurity

Agencies play by different rules on contractor award fees, says GAO

Federal agencies are not being consistent in how they distribute contractor award fees, according to a senior GAO official.

Modernization

IG, Immigration disagree on transformation steps

DHS Inspector General issued five recommendations for the USCIS IT transformation plan, but agency says two are already in place.