Acquisition

House panel links acquisition reforms to people

After a year of hearings, the chairman of a House panel on Defense Department acquisition reforms says DOD must develop new regulations for hiring and building up a civilian acquisition workforce.

Cybersecurity

DOD details strict flash drive rules

A DOD policy that bans using flash drives was relaxed recently because of adjustments made to Defense Department computer systems. But that doesn't mean there are no more limitations on their use.

Digital Government

DOD lifts ban on USB drives

The Defense Department has lifted its 15-month-old ban on USB drives and other portable media, a restriction that had proved to be unpopular as well as potentially unenforceable.

Acquisition

Contract management: Glass half empty or half full?

Where GAO finds problems with DOD contract management, blogger Steve Kelman finds reason for hope.

Digital Government

DOD policy targets weak link in information security

The Defense Department has issued a new policy to protect military information that travels between unclassified networks administered by contractors and the government, reports Federal News Radio.

Digital Government

Military could lose its technological edge, top official warns

The Pentagon's waning information superiority raises questions on future approaches to protecting its networks from attacks.

Digital Government

After Murtha: Vacancy on critical House defense panel opens way for new leader

John Murtha will be remembered for his long government service, military career and a love of earmarks that sometimes put him in hot water.

Modernization

Feds brace for another storm

Another massive snowstorm threatens the Washington metropolitan area, overwhelms OPM's Web site, closes the federal government and sparks telework complaints.

People

Meyerrose: Takai would be qualified for Defense CIO post

California CIO Teri Takai, the expected nominee as the Defense Department's chief information officer, has a proven track record in IT leadership, but the military poses a new set of challenges.

Digital Government

Defense Department chooses CIO

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Teri Takai, chief information officer for the state of California, will become DOD's next CIO.

Digital Government

DOD rolling out cyber defense, albeit slowly

Even with the top echelon of the DOD cyber domain on hold, the individual services are abuzz with cyber activity.

Cybersecurity

Google attacks: A wake-up call or curtain call for agencies?

Agencies across government are exposed to the sophisticated cyberattacks known as advanced persistent threats, yet they may not even know it.

Digital Government

VA budgets $157M for virtual e-health record interagency office

The Veterans Affairs Department is forging ahead on its joint program with the Defense Department to create a Virtual Lifetime Electronic Health Record.

Cybersecurity

Commerce loses, Education gains in IT spending

Most IT budgets would change little from fiscal 2010 under the Obama administration's budget.

Digital Government

Leaner defense budget aims for realistic reform

The Defense Department's $708 billion fiscal 2011 budget request closely adheres to priorities set forth in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.

Cybersecurity

Obama wants nearly $80B for IT projects

The administration has proposed only a small increase for IT spending in fiscal 2011.

People

DOD and VA achieve interoperability on health records, GAO says

The Defense and Veteran Affairs departments have finally met their goal of making their digital health record systems compatible, says a new GAO report.

Digital Government

Getting war right

As the Defense Department looks toward enterprisewide network operations, one high-level official offered his insight for best practices.

People

Transition office established to hasten end of pay for performance

The Defense Department has created its National Security Personnel System Transition Office, which will oversee the conversion of about 200,000 DOD employees from the NSPS pay-for-performance system to a pre-NSPS personnel management system.

Digital Government

Military Health System approves strategic plan for IT

The Military Health System released its 2010 to 2015 strategic plan for information technology that focuses on 10 goals.