People

Obama picks Google exec as deputy CTO

Aneesh Chopra, federal chief technology officer, is about to get some help. President Obama has picked Andrew McLaughlin, currently head of public policy for Google, to be Chopra's deputy.

Cybersecurity

Obama's likely pick for cybersecurity head remains murky

Although some analysts have ideas about the qualities the person filling the position might need, no one is naming names of likely contenders.

Cybersecurity

New cybersecurity coordinator faces complicated road

Of the major goals laid out in the Cyberspace Policy Review, creating an effective information sharing and incident response capability across government and the private sector presents some of the greatest technological challenges and trickiest policy minefields.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers praise Obama on cybersecurity approach

President Barack Obama’s plans to improve cybersecurity received positive reviews from several senior lawmakers on Friday.

People

Senate confirms Baker as Veterans Affairs CIO

Roger Baker wins Senate confirmation as the new VA chief information officer.

Cybersecurity

GAO cites information security weaknesses

The Government Accountability Office says agencies continue to face major information security vulnerabilities despite making progress in complying with FISMA requirements.

People

FCW Insider: Lessons from the Obama campaign

Barry Libert, author of “Barack, Inc.” says government and businesses can learn a good lesson from candidate Barack Obama -- or a hard lesson from candidate Hillary Clinton.

Modernization

Groups seek FOIA policy reversal

Thirty seven open-government groups have urged the Obama administration to make the White House's Office of Administration subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

People

The first adopter

If nothing else, Barack Obama might well go down in history as the nation’s first information technology president. That’s the one thing we can say about his still-young administration.

People

Obama's emerging IT agenda could mean big changes

Experts say the new president is moving ahead with his ambitious agenda despite the financial meltdown and disease outbreak

People

Kundra's savings plan takes shape

The Obama administration inherited $71 billion worth of annual IT spending from the previous administration, and Vivek Kundra, the government’s chief information officer, will now take his whack at making that money count and holding agencies that spend it more accountable.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity report coming soon

The Obama administration expects to make public in the coming days the results of its 60-day cybersecurity review, according to the official who led that evaluation.

People

Kundra wants data more available

Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra wants the government to make its data more available and services more accessible.

Cybersecurity

Obama picks top DHS intell officer

President Barack Obama plans to nominate Philip Mudd as DHS’ new undersecretary for intelligence and analysis. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will appoint Bart Johnson as principal deputy undersecretary for intelligence and analysis.

Cybersecurity

Administration addresses power grid weaknesses

The Obama administration is speeding development of cyber protections for the smart grid.

People

Obama reverses course on FOIA

Open-government advocates applaud Obama's open-government rhetoric but are looking for tangible results.

Digital Government

Obama to nominate Martha Johnson to head GSA

President Obama will nominate Martha Johnson as GSA administrator.

People

Forman: Political appointees must be ready to lead

To be effective agents of change, political appointees have to establish risk boundaries and gain confidence fast.

People

Kelman: Agencies have an opportunity to attract young, energetic employees

Agencies worried about losing seasoned employees to retirement should take advantage of opportunities created by a combination of scarce private-sector jobs and the new president's appeal.

People

Welles: Agencies will recover too

Federal employees can expect more work and visibility as the economic recovery efforts move ahead.