Cybersecurity

DHS buying SBInet-like system for border despite uncertainties, GAO says

The Homeland Security Department canceled the SBInet border surveillance system two months ago, but SBInet-like capabilities will live on in the new system proposed for some parts of the border, a GAO official says.

Cybersecurity

The best of the federal blogosphere

No DNA tests at airport checkpoints; Broadband plan and recent failure; A full tank of hydrogen.

Digital Government

App of the week: Accela Analytics for iPad

Enterprise functionality for government is starting to come to tablets, and Accela Analytics is on the forefront of the coming wave.

People

Budget battles put government unions on the spot

GovLoop members ponder the attacks on government employee unions in cash-strapped states.

Digital Government

Fighting Bob is rolling in his grave

Have you been watching Wisconsin? The state has a century-long association with the labor movement. It’s the birthplace of Progressive icon (and former Republican) Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette, U.S. senator, trust-buster and champion of labor.

Modernization

Cloud isn't playing out like we thought

Everyone expects cloud computing to transform government technology practices, but the question is how.

People

States face IT worker shortage; cost-cutting measures partly to blame

States are facing critical shortages of IT workers, made worse by furloughs, hiring freezes and stagnant salaries -- similar to measures that are in effect or proposed for feds.

Digital Government

White House deputy CTO leaves, will target state and local collaboration

Andrew McLaughlin is resigning from his job as deputy White House chief technology officer to start two companies, one of them to develop collaboration tools for state and local governments.

Digital Government

Energy-efficient tech aids agency cost savings, report says

Many public- and private-sector IT managers are getting the message: Energy-efficient IT programs are good for business, according to a new report by CDW Government.

Modernization

Does Google's lawsuit mean that cloud computing has hit the bigtime?

Cloud vendors are starting to fight each other in the legal arena for contract advantages. Is the technology still cutting-edge?

Digital Government

HHS sweetens the pot for states building health exchanges

The Health and Human Services Department announced a grant program that will fund up to five states or consortiums to build exchanges that HHS hopes will serve as models for other states.

Digital Government

Vampire killers under federal contract?

The U.S. Vampire Service stalks and exterminates fewer than 10 vampires a year, according to its site.

Digital Government

Emergency access granted in test of interoperable ID system

An emergency preparedness event involving federal, state and private-sector officials demonstrated ID verification technology to scan and clear first responders from federal, state, local and commercial organizations.

Digital Government

What's on state CIOs' minds? Consolidation, cost control, health care.

Consolidation, virtualization, budget and health care are among the most critical policy or technology issues to be faced by state government in 2011, according to a recent NASCIO survey.

Digital Government

Government call centers ring true to customers

Overall satisfaction rates with government call centers has risen in the past year and are slowly closing in on private-sector rates.

Modernization

6 methods for squashing info turf battles

Confused about how to achieve all that transparency and collaboration? Here are 6 options that can make your organization an open book.

Digital Government

IBM debuts CityOne simulation game for urban planning

IBM Corp. has launched CityOne, an online interactive simulation game designed to help local government officials find innovative solutions for energy, water, traffic, banking and retail problems.

Cybersecurity

Intell fusion centers need to set performance goals, GAO says

The intelligence fusion centers created for sharing intelligence information need to be evaluated on their performance, the GAO says.

Digital Government

State CIOs choose new leadership group

The National Association of State CIOs has elected its incoming Executive Committee, which will be led by new NASCIO president Kyle Schafer, CTO of West Virginia.

Digital Government

Which states are the most digital of all?

The 2010 Digital States Survey, which ranks states' IT prowess in eight categories, showed little change at the top from the previous survey in 2008 -- with one exception.