Cybersecurity

Sen. Collins warns against cybersecurity 'road map' for US enemies

A key senator says a part of the White House's plan for cybersecurity legislation could expose key infrastructure to attack.

Digital Government

White House proposal includes Internet kill switch, senators warn

Proposed cybersecurity legislation’s reliance on the 77-year-old Telecommunications Act could give the president broad powers over the Internet during an emergency.

Cybersecurity

Cyber plan gives DHS the keys

Proposed legislation from the White House would put the Homeland Security Department in charge of federal agencies' cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

DHS rules in White House cyber plan

An administration proposal would give security authority over federal systems to DHS and establish a national breach notification requirement, but provides little authority over privately owned critical infrastructure.

Acquisition

House hearing heats up over contractor disclosure order

Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee put an administration official in the hot seat over a proposed draft order on disclosing federal contractor political contribution.

Cybersecurity

Can the Web force the release of bin Laden photos?

The relentless search for photos of Osama bin Laden's body, and the potential risks to people searching for them online, might force the administration's hand.

Cybersecurity

Obama cybersecurity plan ready for Congress

Cybersecurity legislation being proposed by the Obama administration favors public/private cooperation over regulation and gives DHS oversight of FISMA.

People

Deputy CTO promotes innovation paths that can be replicated

U.S. Deputy CTO Chris Vein joined the White House in March to advance agencies using innovative technologies and processes.

Digital Government

Debt limit fight could bring back shutdown specter

House Speaker John Boehner says he wants to see trillions of dollars in spending cuts as part of the legislation to increase the country's debt limit.

People

House panel probes White House staff's storing of mobile device messages

A senior White House official testified on systems in place for automatically capturing all e-mail messages at the office, but a lawmaker suggested some staffers may be bypassing that system by using personal mobile devices.

Digital Government

Weathering the storm

People with a low opinion of the federal government like to pass around jokes that have the punch line: "I'm from the federal government and I'm here to help." President Ronald Reagan famously called them "the 10 most frightening words in the English language."

Digital Government

White House official to testify about preserving Facebook, Twitter records

Rep. Darrell Issa intends to probe the transparency of the White House's social media records at a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

People

Obama orders agencies to improve customer service

President Barack Obama tells agencies to develop customer service plans with at least one major technology initiative for each agency.

Digital Government

Let this not be a picture of the future of IT

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Digital Government

National security switcheroo: Panetta to DOD, Petraeus to CIA?

The top U.S. commander will likely succeed current CIA Director Leon Panetta once Panetta replaces Robert Gates as defense secretary, and more shake-ups are imminent, news outlets report.

People

OMB tells agencies to cancel print subscriptions to Federal Register

Agencies have been told to stop subscribing to the print edition of the government's journal, the Federal Register.

People

Senator worried about cutting transparency programs

Sen. Tom Carper is worried that Congress' budget reduction to open-government programs such as Data.gov and the Federal IT Dashboard may hurt efforts to curb improper payments and wasteful spending.

Digital Government

Obama to appear in live video feed from Facebook headquarters

President Barack Obama goes to the headquarters of Facebook in Palo Alto, Calif., today to appear in a live video session about the budget deficit.

Digital Government

Contractors required to disclose political contributions: draft order

The White House is considering how to require contractors to declare their political contributions when submitting a contract bid, according to a draft executive order.

People

Agencies update progress on transparency plans

Federal agencies are publishing charts, graphics and progress reports on their open government efforts.