Cybersecurity
DOD, DHS earn failing grades in foreign language
The Defense and Homeland Security departments don't have enough specialists who are fluent in Middle Eastern and Asian foreign languages. Can technology help bridge the gap?
People
Insourcing still a go for the military
Military and Defense Department agencies can continue insourcing even though Defense Secretary Gates has acknowledged the program doesn't work.
Digital Government
Army seeks smart 'bots in virtual world
The Army Research Lab wants the best ideas for its Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge.
Digital Government
Who goes there? Contractors now required to identify themselves
Federal officials want the difference between government employees and private-sector employees to be obvious.
Digital Government
Pentagon banks on teamwork to meet Gates mandate
The Pentagon has commissioned five teams of defense officials and experts to take on different aspects of realizing plans to cut the Defense Department budget by $100 million in the next five years, according to the Malcolm O'Neill, the Army’s top acquisition official.
Modernization
5 ways to use social media for better emergency response
More people now use social media tools to report emergencies or call for help, and they expect government response agencies to be actively engaged in using the technology, too.
Digital Government
DOD's response could be driving traffic to WikiLeaks
Traffic data shows that government briefings and other activities could be driving traffic to the controversial WikiLeaks site that leaked documents about the war in Afghanistan.
Digital Government
'War consists largely of endless tinkering with PowerPoint slides'
An Army Reserve colonel in Afghanistan is fired after writing a column slamming the military's use of PowerPoint, saying days are spent preparing, presenting and viewing slide shows.
Digital Government
Does NSA's cybersecurity mission extend to the dot-com domain?
NSA appears to be suffering from a case of mission creep as it extends its reach from the .mil Internet domain into critical infrastructure that traditionally has been outside the military’s direct control.
Digital Government
The cyberattack that awakened the Pentagon
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn today outlined the five pillars of the DOD’s strategy for defending against and responding to cyber attacks against the nation’s critical infrastructure and .mil networks.
Digital Government
Panel: U.S. lacks legal framework to fight in cyberspace
A panel of experts said the lack of clear policies and legal framework for waging cyber war could hinder the nation in defending itself and waging war in the new military domain of cyberspace.
People
Pentagon project seeks to streamline human-resource process
Defense Department officials are testing a new project on hiring and managing employees to change the process-oriented structure of personnel management.
People
Lawmaker seeks hearing over proposed Joint Forces Command closing
Congressional pressure continues to build over Defense Secretary Robert Gates' plan to close the U.S. Joint Forces Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., which employs about 6,000.
Digital Government
Pablo Vilaboa: When it comes to tech support, sleep is optional
Vilaboa remained at the office for days to provide technical support to officials at Southern Command who were responding to the earthquake in Haiti.
Acquisition
DOD, Army Corps of Engineers falter on subcontracting metrics
The two agencies fail to find a number of reports on whether prime contractors met their goals for awarding subcontracts.
Digital Government
GPS devices could put American soldiers at risk
Hacked smart phones used by military personnel could reveal location information, which could endanger troops and missions.
Digital Government
Retirement is on Defense secretary's radar
Defense Secretary Robert Gates tells Foreign Policy magazine he is looking at stepping down from the Pentagon helm next year, but avoids exact details.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Command still struggling to define cyber war
The Cyber Command is charged with conducting and defending against cyber warfare, but we don’t really know what we’re doing yet in cyberspace, says former CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden.
People
Unions fire back at Gates for insourcing about-face
The American Federation of Government Employees wants answers from Defense Secretary Robert Gates on how his plans to save DOD money will affect insourcing efforts and federal employees.
Digital Government