Modernization
NASCIO joins open government effort
The state CIO organization will work with federal agencies to promote the development of data standards for state governments.
Modernization
Delays in a $2B Northrop contract have the Virginia Senate calling for a review
The huge outsourcing contract is missing its deadlines to transform Virginia's information technology infrastructure.
Cybersecurity
New bill seeks to replace Real ID with PASS ID
Legislation that proponents say could revitalize the moribund Real ID program would do so by removing expensive and controversial information technology requirements from current law. However, critics said the new bill would not really solve the problems they see with the program.
Cybersecurity
DHS funds IT-related projects
Some of the $1.8 billion in DHS grants will go to state and local governments' technology projects.
Modernization
Industry outscores government for Web site quality
Federal sites, on average, scored lower than those of state governments and industry on a 100-point scale devised by a Brookings Institution researcher.
Cybersecurity
Sensitive information protection remains tough
The government is exploring policy and technology solutions to improve the way it shares sensitive but unclassified terrorism-related information with state, local and industry officials.
People
Virginia CIO ousted in contract dispute
The CIO of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency has been removed from his post in an apparent dispute with the newly installed Virginia Secretary of Technology.
Modernization
Utah goes Web 2.0
Utah has redesigned the official state Web site to include Web 2.0 tools and a section with government transparency features.
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.
People
Serrao: Web 2.0 works better for connecting people than assessing threats
Are new social-networking tools suitable for law enforcement?
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.
Cybersecurity
Standard updated for reporting suspicious activity
The government has updated its standard for reporting suspicious activity that could be linked to terrorism to deal with issues raised by civil liberties groups and police.
People
Feds to give states $250M for education data
States will get the $250 million for student data systems under the economic stimulus law.
Cybersecurity
Information-sharing platform hacked
A DHS official confirmed that the department's platform for sharing sensitive but unclassified information with partner organizations was recently hacked.
Cybersecurity
Hacker demands $10M ransom for data
The FBI and state authorities are investigating a case in which a hacker wants $10 million for the return of sensitive information, according to media reports.
People
Flu funding could go to states
Some of the $1.5 billion that the Obama administration has requested to fight the H1N1 virus – the cause of the swine flu outbreak — could go to state public health disease tracking and monitoring programs.
People
GSA schedules might get state, local business
Two new House bills would open the General Services Administration's Multiple Award Schedules contracts to state and local governments.
Modernization
Firm provides swine flu updates to agencies
A private firm is providing updates on the swine flu outbreak in Mexico to U.S. health agencies and the public.
Cybersecurity
Survey: IT high on wish list for new money
State and local public safety agencies want to use new federal money to help fund technology projects, according to a new survey.
Modernization