Modernization

Security risks evolve alongside social media

Facebook and Twitter make it possible for government agencies to communicate and interact with the public in ways not possible just two years ago. But these social media tools also create new types of security risks that agencies must anticipate and plan for.

Cybersecurity

Emergency IT authority for FERC gains support

Support is growing for proposals to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission additional authority to act during an emergency involving a cyberattack on the country's electric power system.

Cybersecurity

FERC lays out priorities for Smart Grid standards

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said cybersecurity is among its priorities for standards being developed for the country's next-generation, technology-enabled electric grid.

Modernization

Cloud computing: Is it secure enough?

Government officials should start now to understand the security implications and begin taking steps to protect their organizations as they adopt the cloud computing model.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity: Legislation, new security controls on same track

New catalog of information and security controls co-developed by NIST, the Pentagon and the intelligence community, along with information security legislation gaining traction in Congress, are expected to significantly improve federal cybersecurity standards.

People

House passes bills on technology, science

The House has approved bills designed to strengthen federal agencies' cooperation on international science and technology research and on domestic science education.

Cybersecurity

Smart grid standards released

The government has released a list of 16 interoperability and security standards for the smart electric grid.

Modernization

DNSsec deadline looms

A requirement for all agencies to apply a security fix to their Web sites by the end of the year might catch some agencies by surprise.

Cybersecurity

Federal 100 winner: Matthew P. Barrett

Matthew Barrett leads the NIST team that operates SCAP, the National Vulnerability Database, the National Checklist Program and the SCAP Laboratory Accreditation program.

Modernization

NIST creates cloud-computing team

The team will identify possible risks to federal agencies that use the emerging technology and determine how to make it secure, a NIST official said.

Modernization

Senate to vote on Stimulus cut for IT

Sens. Nelson and Collins are promoting an amendment that would cut $83 billion from the stimulus package, including reductions in major IT items.

Digital Government

The FCW mailbag

Read our readers comments and find out how you can be a part of the discussion.

Digital Government

NIST calls for research on innovative technology

NIST is collecting reports on topics such as alternative energy, personal medicine and nanotechnology before awarding funding through the Technology Innovation Program.

Cybersecurity

Experts: Enterprise architecture key to IT security

The availability of malware on the Web is creating new security challenges, they say.