Digital Government
Towns: Committee will perform strong oversight
Rep. Edolphus Towns, the new chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said he intends to perform vigorous oversight of government agencies.
Acquisition
Paper urges tougher controls on contractors
A report recommends requiring contractors to report overpayments, have ethics programs.
Digital Government
Issa sees broad focus for oversight committee
The new ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee expects work on procurement, federal contracting, cybersecurity and other issues.
Cybersecurity
Meyerrose to head cybersecurity at Harris
Former federal CIO Dale Meyerrose is joining Harris Corp. to lead development of the federal contractor’s newly created cybersecurity and information assurance business unit.
Cybersecurity
E-Verify postponed for contractors
The enforcement of a new rule that requires federal contractors to use the E-Verify system to check employee work eligibility has been postponed until Feb. 20.
People
New marching orders
As a new president takes the Oval Office, federal agencies prepare for policy and priority shifts.
Modernization
New Chairman Towns is unknown commodity at House Oversight
Edolphus Towns of New York, a 26-year veteran of Congress, is the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Management, Organization and Procurement.
Digital Government
Groups request consolidated oversight of geospatial IT
Coalition asks congressional leaders to limit committees that do that oversight.
People
Group: Senate should scrutinize DNI choice
A watchdog group cites Dennis Blair's previous ties to defense contractors and it asks the Senate to look closely at his appointment as director of national intelligence.
Cybersecurity
FEMA starts channel on YouTube
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has started a channel on the Web site to publicize its disaster-recovery efforts in video format.
People
Analyst: Obama may spend a billion on biometrics
The Obama administration is likely to spend $750 million to $1 billion on biometric applications this year, primarily in defense, intelligence and homeland security, according to a new report
Cybersecurity
IG: Fusion centers need better information from DHS
State and local fusion centers that work in counterterrorism efforts have problems in receiving adequate and timely information from the Homeland Security Department, a new report says.
Cybersecurity
Report finds mixed outcome on cutter
The Coast Guard has had mixed results with its National Security Cutter program, according to a new report that also recommended improving the government's acquisition processes.
Cybersecurity
Report: E-Verify causes concerns in Arizona
Employers in that state worry about the rejection rate.
Cybersecurity
FEMA releases guideline for first responder ID cards
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is asking state and local agencies to voluntarily follow interoperability rules rather than issuing a federal mandate.
Cybersecurity
FEMA investigates breach of Katrina victims’ private information
The Federal Emergency Management Agency suspects that a recent data breach originated at a state agency that was authorized to receive the data but was not authorized to release it.
Modernization
Public safety group urges $15B broadband investment
The Public Safety Spectrum Trust wants the Obama administration to fund a nationwide broadband network that commercial users and first responders would share.
People
Towns picks oversight committee staff members
Rep. Edolphus Towns has named Ronald Stroman to be staff director and Michael McCarthy to be deputy staff director for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Cybersecurity
DHS Privacy Office: Fusion centers endanger privacy
Unclear chains of authority, excessive secrecy, military and private-sector involvement, and the use of personally identifiable information raise concerns.
Cybersecurity