Modernization

Come join the homeland security review

Starting today people can go online to participate in a wide-ranging review of the Homeland Security Department designed to help shape the department over the coming years.

Cybersecurity

E-Verify could add biometrics

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has begun laying the groundwork for adding a biometric — most likely a fingerprint — to the E-Verify federal employment verification system

Cybersecurity

The great cybersecurity star search

A consortium of private and government organizations has launched a program of competitions and educational opportunities for young people to build the next-generation cybersecurity workforce.

Cybersecurity

Group opposes making contractors use E-Verify

The Professional Services Council opposes Senate legislation would require federal contractors to use the E-Verify system for new and existing employees.

Cybersecurity

The ethics of contracting: Still an open question

Experts today reacted to reports of inappropriate procurement activities at the Homeland Security Department by saying it was unclear whether such actions are common at other federal agencies.

Modernization

Committee approves bill to strip some IT requirements from Real ID

A bill that would remove costly information technology requirements from a secure identification law has been approved by a Senate committee.

Cybersecurity

DHS officials skirted procurement ethics rules, IG says

DHS officials had inappropriate communications and committed other improprieties in four procurements, according to a new report.

Cybersecurity

Spires named new CIO at DHS

Richard Spires is the Homeland Security Department's top information technology executive.

Modernization

DHS, FCC don't coordinate some networks, GAO says

The Homeland Security Department and the Federal Communications Commission need to coordinate their efforts on public safety emergency communications, according to a new report.

Modernization

DHS to save $87 million with license consolidation

DHS announced a fourth round of cost-saving measures, including replacing thousands of software licenses with a single departmentwide license.

Cybersecurity

New chief to update policies for Coast Guard's acquisition directorate

The new head of the Coast Guard acquisitions unit said he wants to make permanent the relationships between the new unit and the Homeland Security and Defense departments.

Cybersecurity

DHS launches YouTube channel

The Homeland Security Department has a new YouTube channel with links to YouTube videos by FEMA, the Coast Guard and other agencies.

Modernization

IG: DHS should get new infrastructure data system

The Homeland Security Department should finish the acquisition process for a new system that will be used to keep track of critical infrastructure, DHS' inspector general said.

Cybersecurity

Witnesses: E-Verify system can't detect ID theft

Former agency officials told a Senate subcommittee that the E-Verify system for employment verification cannot detect identity theft.

Cybersecurity

House bill would restrict laptop searches

A House subcommittee today will consider legislation that would require DHS to strengthen protections for U.S. citizens whose laptops are searched at the borders.

Cybersecurity

HUD, FEMA data sharing finds waste

An inspector general finds computer checks by FEMA and HUD that uncovered duplications in federal rental payments.

Cybersecurity

DHS another step closer to departmentwide debarments

DHS on July 16 published a new interim rule on suspensions and debarments for nonprocurement-related entities.

Modernization

IT costs central to Real ID, PASS ID debate

Backers of the Real ID Act and proposed PASS ID Act have been debating the extent to which states need to make expensive information technology investments to improve the security of driver's licenses.

Cybersecurity

More than half of states moving on Real ID

Although the program is controversial, 27 states are likely to meet milestones.

Modernization

DHS to vendors: Help us shield dot-gov domain

The Homeland Security Department wants information from companies on their solutions that could be used to protect the government's domain used by civilian agencies.