Modernization

Winners and losers on the enhanced Federal IT Dashboard

The Federal IT Dashboard has been updated with agency ratings and evaluations of nearly 800 federal IT projects.

Modernization

Speak up: How can federal websites improve?

GSA launches public dialogue for ideas to make government sites better.

Cybersecurity

Social media: A mixed blessing for disaster response

A report from the Congressional Research Service highlights some of the benefits and potential risks in using tools such as Facebook and Twitter to help with disaster response.

Digital Government

HHS releases health IT strategic plan through 2015

The Health and Human Services Department has published its vision of how health information technology used by doctors and hospitals will improve care and health and lower costs.

Cybersecurity

H-1B workers abuse work privileges: IG

An audit of H-1B visa holders revealed that many abuse the program's privileges.

Cybersecurity

Counterterrorism effort gets new tech

The director of the National Counterterrorism Center shared details on recent upgrades to IT systems and data tools at a Senate committee hearing.

Digital Government

Despite desire for shared data, Census Bureau stands on confidentiality law

The U.S. Census Bureau has no plans to seek changes to Title 13, officials say.

Cybersecurity

DHS, FBI beef up fingerprint checks for visitors

The Homeland Security Department and FBI are implementing a more robust system of checking fingerprint identities of international visitors at airport ports of entry.

Modernization

New Labor dashboard to cut waste, fraud

The Labor Department and White House are using a new online dashboard to highlight states in which a high percentage of unemployment benefit payments are improper.

Digital Government

Census Bureau supports releasing address database, official says

The Census Bureau has made a turnaround in its thinking about publicly releasing its nationwide database of home and business addresses, a senior official said.

Digital Government

USGS puts historical maps online

The U.S. Geological Survey is scanning 250,000 of its historic maps to put online.

People

Survey shows people prefer using PCs, Web portals to contact agencies

In a new survey by IDC Government Insights, people picked computers and websites as their preferred mode of interaction with federal agencies.

Cybersecurity

Outsourcing IT to other countries adds to cyber risks, report says

A Intelligence and National Security Alliance's white paper warns against the government's global outsourcing practices with respect to IT.

Digital Government

First CIO is on the job at consumer protection bureau

Chris Willey previously served as deputy CIO at OPM

People

Vance Hitch: Secrets of a long-serving government CIO

Vance Hitch, who was the longest-serving CIO at a Cabinet-level agency, reflects on what he learned during his nine-year tenure at the Justice Department.

People

Senate panel would restore partial funding for DHS projects

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a budget for the Homeland Security Department that would partially restore some funding that had been cut by the House.

Modernization

Weather service updates mobile website for local forecasts

The National Weather Service will refresh its mobile website that offers weather forecasts by ZIP code.

People

NOAA to build 'weather-ready' nation

After a record number of weather disasters this year -- including a hurricane and flooding in Washington, D.C. -- the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is amplifying its efforts to improve forecasting and response.

Digital Government

HHS updating regulations to fit new tech

The Health and Human Services Department has a plan for updating regulations that covers things such as telemedicine.

Cybersecurity

9/11 remembered: Building a department on demand

Steve Cooper, the first CIO at DHS, recalls how a surge of patriotism prompted him to lend his talents to the homeland security effort.