Forman sees ally in Ridge

Mark Forman, the Bush administration's top e-government official, said Oct. 2 he intends to work closely with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge in his new role as the head of the Office of Homeland Security.

"I believe when all the...IT initiatives are laid out in front of the governor, he will see a tremendous business architecture issue, and at that point, I anticipate working closely with him," said Forman, associate director of information technology and e-government at the Office of Management and Budget.

Forman made his comments at a luncheon meeting of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. He declined to comment on the budget process or how much money could be earmarked for IT security.

Also on Oct. 2, Ridge told Pennsylvania lawmakers in his parting address: "Our fight against terrorism will not be an easy one. It will require vigilance and resolve and patient cooperation."

He did not talk specifically about the new security office, which was created by President Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon.