Modernization
IG, Immigration disagree on transformation steps
DHS Inspector General issued five recommendations for the USCIS IT transformation plan, but agency says two are already in place.
Modernization
GAO finds gaps in HUD IT management
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department continues to fall short in managing its IT needs.
Cybersecurity
New Coast Guard acquisition chief eyes changes
Rear Adm. Ronald Rábago wants to align the Acquisition Directorate's responsibilities with the Coast Guard's modernization efforts.
Cybersecurity
E-Verify could add biometrics
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has begun laying the groundwork for adding a biometric — most likely a fingerprint — to the E-Verify federal employment verification system
Cybersecurity
Group opposes making contractors use E-Verify
The Professional Services Council opposes Senate legislation would require federal contractors to use the E-Verify system for new and existing employees.
Cybersecurity
The ethics of contracting: Still an open question
Experts today reacted to reports of inappropriate procurement activities at the Homeland Security Department by saying it was unclear whether such actions are common at other federal agencies.
People
GAO: VA, DOD said slow on sharing health data
The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments have made progress on health care data interoperability but still fall short in some areas, a new report says.
Cybersecurity
DHS officials skirted procurement ethics rules, IG says
DHS officials had inappropriate communications and committed other improprieties in four procurements, according to a new report.
People
OMB tells agencies to cut billions from contracts
OMB issued three memos today that outline $40 billion in savings on contract spending. It told agencies to cut seven percent from their budgets for contractors.
People
EHR standard released by public/private group
The primary standards body for health IT has released a specification for EHRs designed for the economic stimulus law.
Modernization
DHS, FCC don't coordinate some networks, GAO says
The Homeland Security Department and the Federal Communications Commission need to coordinate their efforts on public safety emergency communications, according to a new report.
Modernization
DHS to save $87 million with license consolidation
DHS announced a fourth round of cost-saving measures, including replacing thousands of software licenses with a single departmentwide license.
Cybersecurity
New chief to update policies for Coast Guard's acquisition directorate
The new head of the Coast Guard acquisitions unit said he wants to make permanent the relationships between the new unit and the Homeland Security and Defense departments.
People
Blumenthal defers judgment on FISMA use
The top federal official for health IT is reserving judgment on whether all entities engaged in sharing health information ought to comply with FISMA
Cybersecurity
Official: Panel wants privacy protection for electronic medical records
A federal advisory panel wants encryption and access controls to protect patients' medical records. official says.
Digital Government
Health record haste sparks privacy fears
A privacy advocate warns that proposals for EHRs postpone several major privacy protections.
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.
Cybersecurity
DHS launches YouTube channel
The Homeland Security Department has a new YouTube channel with links to YouTube videos by FEMA, the Coast Guard and other agencies.
Cybersecurity
Witnesses: E-Verify system can't detect ID theft
Former agency officials told a Senate subcommittee that the E-Verify system for employment verification cannot detect identity theft.
Cybersecurity