Cybersecurity

DOD, FEMA team on Irene recovery

Agencies worked together to manage and coordinate rescue and recovery efforts connected to Hurricane Irene.

Cybersecurity

Irene helps FEMA prove itself again

Public officials all along the East Coast are praising FEMA's preparedness and response to Hurricane Irene -- in sharp contrast to public opinion after Katrina.

Cybersecurity

Beware fake FEMA disaster app

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a new mobile application for disaster preparedness on Android, but an apparently fake FEMA app appears to have fooled many.

Cybersecurity

Agencies use Facebook, Twitter to spread hurricane info

Agencies rush to prepare for major hurricane, using all the technology at their disposal to do so.

Cybersecurity

Agencies need to tighten telework coordination, GAO says

Potential agency IT limitations weren't taken into account before the "unscheduled telework" option for federal employees went into effect earlier this year, a new report said.

Cybersecurity

Lieberman tells FEMA to centralize IT

FEMA can't manage its IT systems with an uncoordinated approach to building systems, senator says.

Cybersecurity

Auditors estimate $2.8B in improper payments at SSA, FEMA

Inspectors general at FEMA and the Social Security Administration uncovered billions in improper payments, reports state.

Cybersecurity

Before disaster strikes, FEMA looks to predict severity of calamity

FEMA has turned to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for help in predicting the effects of potential Mississippi River flooding and providing imagery of areas devastated by flood waters and tornadoes.

Cybersecurity

FCC, FEMA to start mobile phone emergency alert system

The Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency said they are partnering with several companies to offer priority message emergency warnings through mobile phones.

Cybersecurity

Disaster response agencies need to go mobile, FEMA administrator says

The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said disaster response agencies should take advantage of the widespread use of mobile phones to improve their disaster communications with the public.

Digital Government

Weathering the storm

People with a low opinion of the federal government like to pass around jokes that have the punch line: "I'm from the federal government and I'm here to help." President Ronald Reagan famously called them "the 10 most frightening words in the English language."

Cybersecurity

Report: FEMA IT systems not effective for disaster response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's legacy IT systems have gaps, a new report states.

Modernization

Japan disaster provides opportunity for scammers

Technology has changed the way the world responds to natural disasters such as the Japan earthquake but it can also lead to big opportunities for scam artists.

Cybersecurity

FEMA loses 7 years' worth of major official reports

The Federal Emergency Management Agency lost its entire database of post-disaster reports for 2003 to 2010 due to a computer server failure, according to a new audit.

Cybersecurity

FEMA's contracting oversight is lax, auditors say

The Federal Emergency Management Agency in trouble over allegations that it failed to comply with a 1972 law in monitoring some contracts, according to a new audit.

Digital Government

Emergency access granted in test of interoperable ID system

An emergency preparedness event involving federal, state and private-sector officials demonstrated ID verification technology to scan and clear first responders from federal, state, local and commercial organizations.

Cybersecurity

FEMA has gaps in disaster IT systems, IG says

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made moderate progress in most key areas since 2008 but still has weak spots in disaster preparedness, according to a new audit.

Modernization

Agencies update Web sites in preparation for Hurricane Earl

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Hurricane center have updated their home pages in preparation for Hurricane Earl.