Cybersecurity
Bills would kill DHS satellite surveillance office
A senior House Democrat has introduced legislation to eliminate a DHS-run program to make intelligence and military satellite imagery more available to civilian agencies for domestic purposes.
Cybersecurity
Cyber leader powers still unknown
President Barack Obama received widespread praise for his recent decision to create a cybersecurity coordinator, but some observers say it remains to be seen whether the position has enough authority.
Digital Government
Napolitano backs E-Verify
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she is a big supporter of E-Verify, the Web-based employment eligibility verification tool.
Cybersecurity
DHS' IG reports millions recovered from fraud
The Homeland Security Department's inspector general has recovered $228 million in fines and other payments by investigating complaints of alleged waste, fraud and abuse.
Cybersecurity
Nominee: DHS won't lose cybersecurity authority
Rand Beers, the nominee to lead the DHS unit that oversees cybersecurity, said he has been told the department won't lose its authority in that area.
Cybersecurity
Napolitano names senior cybersecurity officials
Philip Reitinger, deputy undersecretary of DHS' National Protection and Programs Directorate, will also lead the National Cybersecurity Center.
Cybersecurity
McConnell gets DHS gig
Bruce McConnell, former Chief of Information Policy and Technology in the Office of Management and Budget, will serve as the Homeland Security department's counselor to the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Deputy Under Secretary, Philip Reitlinger.
Cybersecurity
DHS expands RFID use at borders today
DHS has started the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires displaying eligible ID documents, most with RFID tags, at land and sea borders.
Cybersecurity
$300M in transit grants to aid in homeland security projects
DHS announced $300 million in economic stimulus law funding is available for eligible port security and mass transit projects.
Modernization
DHS to scrutinize service contracts
As part of an efficiency initiative, DHS officials will perform an extra review on all professional service contracts over $1 million starting immediately.
Modernization
Obama directs review of data classifications
President Barack Obama has directed a review of how the government classifies information and how it handles sensitive but unclassified data.
Modernization
Q & A: High-tech cutter reaches milestone
Coast Guard Rear Adm. Gary Blore expects the first National Security Cutter to receive certification for classified communications in the near future.
Cybersecurity
US-VISIT tests new approaches to exit system
The Homeland Security Department will begin testing two methods for collecting biometric data electronically from non-citizens as they leave through U.S. airports.
Cybersecurity
Audit: TSA has weak IT security controls
The agency took some corrective action in fiscal 2008 but still fell short in critical areas, according to a recent audit.
Modernization
CBP to spend $100M on SBInet
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it will use the money to improve its border surveillance technology and communications.
Modernization
Terrorist Screening Center gets new director
Timothy Healy is the new director of a center that administers the consolidated terrorist watch list database.
Cybersecurity
GAO: Secure Flight improved IT security
The Secure Flight passenger screening program has improved IT security and privacy controls in the last five months, auditors say.
Cybersecurity
Can we trust evaluations?
The government could publish internal evaluations of contractor performance, but in many cases, they are not reliable guides.
Modernization
Napolitano wants millions for IT
Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano told a House committee today about DHS' plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in IT systems.
Modernization