Digital Government
OMB kills Justice system, revises another at Interior
As part of ongoing review, White House eliminates a litigation case management system and requires additional milestones for the Incident Management Analysis and Reporting System.
Cybersecurity
CIOs are ahead of the curve on improving accountability
Some technology executives already were on the path to enhanced scrutiny of risky projects, before President Obama sent a reminder.
Digital Government
Social Security Administration assigns modernization work
Lockheed Martin will support software development and Accenture will help with emerging technologies.
Digital Government
VA reports 10 missing laptops, likely no personal data lost
CIO says the department will investigate if the unusually high number of lost computers is an aberration, or if something more is going on.
Digital Government
OMB cancels financial system development at SBA and VA
The move is part of a governmentwide review of the troubled projects and a reengineering of the way agencies purchase and develop information technology.
Digital Government
Open Health Data Ain't Free
A major medical association has released data on the performance of heart surgeons, in what bloggers are calling the "open health data movement," in reference to the Obama administration's open government initiative. The president's program involves releasing metrics detailing the inner workings of government via public websites. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' effort involves releasing scores of more than 90 percent of the roughly 1,000 U.S. cardiac surgery practices to the public via a Consumer Reports <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/health/doctors-hospitals/surgeon-ratings/ratings-of-bypass-surgeons.htm">subscription website</a>.
Modernization
Accountability starts with Networx transition, data center consolidation
As part of Obama's accountable government initiative, OMB also plans to track on Performance.gov agencies' progress in other efforts such as cloud computing.
Ideas
Watch for Defense FAR Changes
A study by internal government watchdogs found Defense Department contracts are missing certain provisions for protecting confidential government data, an omission that may leave sensitive files vulnerable to disclosure or misuse by company employees. But the footnotes of the audit indicate that changes to the guidelines are expected this month.
Modernization
SSA awards $2.8 billion services support contract
Accenture, Computer Sciences, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman will compete for task orders to help the agency exchange electronic medical records, and expand Internet services for Medicare and supplemental security income applicants.
Digital Government
GAO finds contractors have inappropriate access to private data
The White House should include nondisclosure agreements in the Federal Acquisition Regulations restricting vendors from releasing sensitive data.
Digital Government
Imagine Twitter on 9/11
Tweeting was not an option for witnesses, survivors or victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the Pentagon. If those individuals were able to log on to Twitter and instantly communicate their whereabouts to their social networks, what would have happened? Families and first responders may have had the chance to say goodbye or save a life, maybe.
Cybersecurity
NIST to help retrain NASA employees as cyber specialists
Cybersecurity research institute would prepare laid-off workers to fill the tens of thousands of technicians the federal government needs.
Ideas
Air Traffic Upgrade to Boost Jobs
Some information technology contractors welcomed an announcement by President Obama on Wednesday that he proposes investing in infrastructure, such as advanced air traffic tech, as a way of stimulating the economy -- but expresses nervousness about how he intends to compensate for the cost.
Digital Government
Social Security data center project encounters delays
Settling on a location for the facility has proved difficult, with some lawmakers concerned the administration isn't shopping for the best deal.
Digital Government
House, Senate agree on measure requiring standard format for spending data
A uniform rule would improve consistency of reports and transparency.
Digital Government
Watchdog group gives Obama mixed review on openness
OpenTheGovernment.org says the White House is moving toward becoming the most open in history, but criticizes it for spending large sums to create and secure classified information.
Digital Government
White House kicks off contest website to find fixes to big problems
Agencies can post a competition to Challenge.gov in minutes by filling out an online form with details of the initiative.
Digital Government
Working From Home on Labor Day
Access to fast Internet speeds that make working from home and on-the-go easier seem to be on the rise nationwide, just in time for Labor Day.
Digital Government