People
FEMA still weak on IT security, auditors say
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is still struggling to secure its information technology systems, according to a new audit.
People
DOD broadens PKI parameters
The Defense Department has decided to accept public-key infrastructure certificates from outside parties for the first time.
People
Sharing information – and fears
Information sharing environment has made progress, but its future is unclear.
People
Coast Guard said to fall short on IT security
The Coast Guard did not make large-scale progress last year to fix more than 40 weaknesses in information technology security that pertains to its financial systems, auditors have found.
People
DHS plans to unify emergency communications
The Homeland Security Department releases a plan to create a national strategy to correct shortcomings in emergency communications that hampered fire and police responses to the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
People
FEMA close to adopting standard for emergency alerts
Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to adopt the Common Alerting Protocol 1.1 for the national emergency warning and alert system by early next year, agency officials said.
People
DOD adopts new policy on third-party PKIs
The Defense Department’s decision to accept third-party public-key infrastructures should have a broad effect on contractors and defense agencies, according to an official in the office of DOD's chief information officer.
People
Agencies encrypt less than third of laptops
Although encryption technologies are available, agencies have been slow to adopt them, the Government Accountability Office has reported.
People
IG: DHS has problems with top secret data
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has recommended that a DHS' official issue formal guidance for the department’s intelligence activities.
People
Democrats ask DHS to halt work on network
Two senior Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have asked the Homeland Security Department to stop work on DHS' second attempt to build a national information-sharing network to send alerts on terrorism.
People
DHS seen needing strategic plan
The Homeland Security Department's Office of International Affairs needs an international strategic plan to improve its management of employees in other countries, the department's inspector general recommends.
Acquisition
Rules on personal conflicts considered
The Federal Acquisition Regulation does not address personal conflicts of interest.
Digital Government
GAO: Information sharing lacks definition
A report states that the Information Sharing Environment initiative had helped move the government ahead, but lacks methods to assess progress.
People
Leaders say TWIC testing should be free
The chairman and ranking Republican of the House Homeland Security Committee oppose the 25 percent share of the cost of a program to test TWIC that DHS wants to charge port operators.
People
Group honors GSA's IG, other whistleblowers
Government employees who exposed misdeeds are praised in a watchdog group's report.
People
Services council objects to conflict rules
The Professional Services Council says some rules on conflicts of interest should be simplified.
Digital Government
Power grid overseer steps up cybersecurity
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. will review cybersecurity standards for the electric power industry.
People
Council criticizes pass-through rule
Although the Defense Department's interim rule is an improvement over its predecessor, it still has weaknesses, according to the Professional Services Council.
People
Senate committee approves Coast Guard spending bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a fiscal 2009 spending bill that would allow the Coast Guard to hire more acquisition employees to oversee the Integrated Deepwater System.
People