People
FCW Insider: E-democracy in the news
While the Obama appoints a director of citizen participant, the European Commission tests the use of electronic petitions.
People
New Defense database should be public, watchdog says
The White House should make public a new Defense database on "revolving door" officials leaving to work for contractors, urges the Project on Government Oversight watchdog group.
People
IT execs confer with Obama
President Barack Obama met with technology executives to build support for IT initiatives in the economic stimulus legislation.
Cybersecurity
E-Verify rule governing contractor employees postponed
Federal have officials agreed to postpone enforcing the E-Verify program for federal contractors until May 21 so it can be reviewed by the Obama administration, a business group said. The program was set to start Feb. 20.
Modernization
Bills duel over billions for broadband or health IT
The Senate Appropriations Committee's version of the economic stimulus package would spend $9 billion for broadband networks and $5 billion for health IT; the House panel's version has $6 billion for broadband and $20 billion for health IT.
Modernization
Groups urge broadband provisions in package
Public safety organizations urge Congress to include provisions for first responder communications programs in the economic stimulus package.
People
FCW Insider: A note on the White House almost-blog
Perhaps the Obama administration should have held off on running a White House blog until they were ready to do it in earnest.
Modernization
Obama smartphone conforms to military standards
President Obama will have to give up his BlackBerry and switch to a maximum-security smartphone.
People
FCW Insider: Dark ages = good security?
A Washington Post reader has offered an interesting but slightly disturbing perspective on the state of technology at the White House.
People
Obama announces site to track economic stimulus funds
The president said he hopes the transparency of the stimulus plan through Recovery.gov will reduce unnecessary spending and the skepticism of many to the plan's size.
Cybersecurity
Stimulus bill primes the pump
Federal information technology contractors could see a flurry of activity this year if Congress approves the roughly $32 billion in IT investments included the Obama administration’s economic stimulus bill (S.1).
People
Chief techie: All bark and no bite?
Julius Genachowski might not have realized the turmoil his recent employment decision would cause, but in turning down President Barack Obama’s offer to make him chief technology officer, Genachowski reopened a discussion that had seemed settled.
People
Opening the info doors
Access to government information is about to get much easier, if the new president's early actions are any indication.
People
Long-distance runaround
Linda Cureton, a pathfinder among her tech-savvy peers in the federal government, recently told a gathering of aging baby boomers (like me) to get on board with social media.
People
Google, GSA hit Web 2.0 minefield
Internet users have grown accustomed to seeking videos on YouTube, but the federal government is having a tougher time getting its content there.
Cybersecurity
Administration to establish major office for cyber matters
A national cyber adviser who would report directly to the president would be chosen under the White House's 44-point agenda for homeland security.
Cybersecurity
Napolitano directs review of DHS' cybersecurity efforts
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has called for a review of the department's cybersecurity efforts as part of a wide-ranging review of DHS' programs and strategies.
Cybersecurity
In the News: Obama to keep BlackBerry
President Barack Obama will keep his BlackBerry for personal use, making him the first sitting president to use e-mail, the Associated Press reports.
People
Obama memo mentions CTO
President Barack Obama directed future chief technology officer to work with the heads of the Office and Management and Budget and the General Services Administration to develop recommendations for an open government directive.
Digital Government