Modernization

U.S. is a model for Canada's open government efforts

Canadian officials reference projects in the United States for using Web 2.0 to achieve open government goals.

Cybersecurity

McNamara: Give info-sharing office more authority

Thomas McNamara said the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment should have budgetary authority and the ability to direct policy changes.

Modernization

Farewell to e-mail

Some government agencies are taking a step back from e-mail and evaluating other communication tools such as social networks, collaboration software and Web-based conferencing.

Modernization

Where in the world is the geospatial data?

Policy changes and new technologies can help agencies better manage geospatial data.

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.

Digital Government

Health information exchanges rise to 57

Fifty-seven community-based health information exchanges are operating, up from 42 the year before, according to a survey by the nonprofit eHealth Initiative.

Modernization

The other silver linings

Government outfits like the Army recruiting service, Washington, D.C., city government, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence show that there are other valuable benefits of cloud computing, such as rolling out new applications more quickly, creating functionality that was difficult or impossible to achieve before, and building a common platform to enable better information sharing.

Modernization

Cloud comparison

This table compares the three models officials have when building their IT portfolios: A fee-based public cloud; a shared cost, government-only private cloud; or the traditional buy and manage your own.

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

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.

Acquisition

Senators probe Alaska set-aside program

A Senate subcommittee says agencies are using ANCs to award contracts quickly and avoid competition.

Cybersecurity

More than half of states moving on Real ID

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

Acquisition

Report: Alaska Native contracting program delivers little benefit to communities

Four Alaska Native Corporations were among the top 100 recipients of contract awards in 2008 and six companies made Washington Technology’s list of the top 100 prime contractors in 2009.

Modernization

IT central to debate over Real ID, PASS ID

Backers of a new driver's license security program say the current Real ID program's costly IT requirements are unnecessary and won't work for states.

Cybersecurity

Four years, many changes

Provisions of the Real ID Act have been a moving target.

Cybersecurity

Real ID: States chase moving target

In the face of shifting deadlines and requirements, states are struggling to comply with the Real ID Act for making driver's licenses more secure.

Cybersecurity

Real ID compliance score card

Twenty-six states have enacted legislation that indicates their intentions regarding compliance with Real ID.

People

Rep. Towns: States need help managing stimulus money

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said states need guidance on how to oversee stimulus law spending.

Modernization

Virtualization: A desktop savings plan

Desktop virtualization aims to lower the costs and increase the security of desktop computers, but agencies must determine which approach — or combination of methods — best suits their needs.