Digital Government

More people signing up for e-patient records, but widespread use low

Survey finds citizens still are skeptical about how safe their private medical information is; one-third say they would consider hiding data from their health provider.

Digital Government

Senate set to consider NSA chief as head of Cyber Command

Lawmakers have held up Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander's nomination because of concerns about the militarization of cyberspace, the command's relationship with the National Security Agency and the use of the Internet.

Digital Government

NSA on the Flash-Media Hunt

Shh, the National Security Agency has developed a software tool that detects thumb drives or other flash media connected to a network, and any federal agency can get a copy free -- no box tops or coupons required.

Digital Government

Navy Seeks Vets For Cyber Force

The Navy is looking for a few good veterans to staff its cyber force, offering openings at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Norfolk, Va.

Modernization

Army impressed by initial test of next generation radios

A central part of a plan to modernize brigades, radios will link units so they can transmit broadband data, including imagery.

Digital Government

Joint Radios in MRAPs

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. - I arrived here on Wednesday to see a demo of the Joint Tactical Radio Systems program operating in the vehicle of choice for Afghanistan and Iraq: mine resistant ambush protected vehicles. I plan to file a full report on Thursday for the Nextgov news feed.

Digital Government

After Post, Google Zaps GPS Jammer Ads

While researching a What's Brewin' <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2010/04/gps_backup_what_gps_backup.php>item I posted this week on backups to the GPS system</a>, I conducted a Google search on GPS jammers. The results of the search staggered me -- by both the number of hits and the fact that Google also carried ads for gizmos that have no legitimate use.

Digital Government

Small system at the center of big move from Iraq to Afghanistan

The Third Army's Logistical Theater Common Operating Picture consists of three servers and a staff of four to track and deliver nearly 3 million pieces of equipment.

Digital Government

Big Payback For VA Health IT

The Veterans Affairs Department has invested more than $4 billion on its Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VistA) during the last two decades. But the payback the department has received has pretty much exceeded those costs, <em>Health Affairs Journal</em> <a href=http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/4/629>reported</a> in its April issue.

Digital Government

DISA launches huge integrated technology contract

Pact would provide cradle-to-grave operational support for training, exercises and events, analyze operational readiness, and form concepts for global networks and systems.

Digital Government

GPS Backup? What GPS Backup?

The folks over at the multiagency National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing posted a <a href=http://pnt.gov/public/faq.shtml#jamming>notice</a> reminding us that the "U.S. government strongly encourages all GPS users to maintain backup capabilities for positioning, navigation and timing" in case of jamming or other outages.

Digital Government

Report: Defense contractors battle 'relentless' online assaults

Unfriendly -- and friendly -- nations use Internet tools, including social networking, to ferret out information on military IT systems, UAVs and aeronautical technology.

Digital Government

Health IT coordinator attacks rumors that spy agencies would tap into patient information network

Critics fear using framework developed by Justice and DHS would lead to record sharing with intelligence organizations.

Digital Government

The Man Behind GPS

Cybersecurity

The military services are working out security policies for thumb drive use

Given the potential threats and technical hurdles, officials expect it will take time to develop new guidelines for transferring data on flash media.

Digital Government

A Do-It-Ourselves Anniversary Site

As I <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2010/03/the_vietnam_war_anniversary.php>observed</a> last week, the Defense Department just this month decided to start developing a Web site to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, which is this year.

Digital Government

Takai: Let's All Work Together

Teresa "Teri" Takai, who President Obama <a href= http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100329_8439.php>nominated</a> as the Defense Department's chief information officer on Monday, taped a video message for her workers in February that could easily be applied to Defense: work together more effectively.

Digital Government

Defense CIO nominee will face tough challenges

Takai will rely on her experience in network compatibility and information sharing, but she faces a steep learning curve on tactical networks and the command-and-control systems the department relies on to conduct operations worldwide.

Digital Government

Honoring Bataan in Kuwait

It turns out that on March 21 as I and 5,000 military and civilian folks participated in the 21st <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2010/03/45_pounds_sure_is_heavier_nowadays.php>Annual Bataan Memorial Death March</a> at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., we had some company at the Army's Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.