Digital Government
What does Twitter mean for foreign policy?
Experts say new media poses great opportunities for activists and some questions for governments.
People
State struggles to track contractor data: GAO
The data contractor personnel tracking system's information is so poor that GAO said it couldn't draw conclusions or recognize trends about contractor personnel numbers.
Modernization
U.S. and Mexico talk safety across the fence
U.S. and Mexican officials announced an agreement to set up a cross-border network to enhance safety and law enforcement at the border.
Modernization
State plans to seek help for data center consolidation
The State Department plans to award a task order for help with its data center consolidation program.
Modernization
Good site searches vital, experts say
It's important that agencies' Web sites be easy to search, experts say.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity: Senate bill would make international cooperation a priority
A new Senate bill would ask the secretary of state to work for international collaboration to improve cybersecurity.
Modernization
Cyberattacks could have been mitigated
Agency responses to cyberattacks on U.S. government sites demonstrate a need for better coordination between agency security officials and the companies that provide Internet services, experts say.
Modernization
GSA announces list of Networx agency telecom awards
The General Services Administration has released a list of 86 federal agencies that have awarded contracts to telecom providers through the Networx contract.
Modernization
Facebook allows State to connect to the world
The State Department is using Facebook to connect with people, nations around the globe.
Modernization
Twitter offers Iranian protestors outlet to the world
The disputes in Iran over Twitter underscore the growing importance of social media sites and the extent to which the United States and other governments are paying attention to them.
Cybersecurity
DHS expands RFID use at borders today
DHS has started the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires displaying eligible ID documents, most with RFID tags, at land and sea borders.
Modernization
Terrorist Screening Center gets new director
Timothy Healy is the new director of a center that administers the consolidated terrorist watch list database.
Modernization
Does RFID present privacy risks?
Some privacy advocates are concerned that thieves could steal information from RFID-enabled credentials, but others say the fears are overblown.
Modernization
Clinton to hold digital town hall
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will hold a digital town hall meeting April 17 before a summit meeting of heads of state from countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Cybersecurity
Drapeau: Web 2.0 best practices already surface
Agencies are starting to learn smart ways to use emerging technologies for communicating with citizens and each other.
Cybersecurity
GAO: Dead people can still get passports
The State Department needs to conduct mandatory checks of a death database to avoid issuing fraudulent passports, GAO recommends in a new report.
People
U.S., Switzerland sign technology ageement
Under the agreement, the two countries will conduct joint programs, studies and investigations, the State Department said.
Modernization
Federal 100 winner: Susan H. Swart
Swart, CIO and head of the State Department’s Information Resource Management Bureau, successfully led three high-profile IT projects: consolidation of the department’s desktop computer network, development of a process for tracking progress of the department’s new State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset, and departmentwide adoption of new collaboration tools.
Cybersecurity
GAO: Fake IDs yield passports
GAO investigators had no problems getting genuine United States passports by using false documents.
Modernization