Cybersecurity

Fusion centers hampered by limitations of DHS nets, IG says

The Homeland Security Department's ability to share intelligence information through IT with state and local authorities is improving, but still has significant gaps, an audit finds.

People

GAO gets latest report on performance

The Government Accountability Office had 15 performance goals to meet. How did it do in comptroller's report?

Modernization

SSA introduces revamped site

The Social Security Administration launched a redesigned website today after a recent report of mixed scores on customer satisfaction.

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.

Cybersecurity

DHS boosts E-Verify with links to passport photo database

The Homeland Security Department is checking the authenticity of U.S. passport photos with the State Department for people seeking to prove their identity to the E-Verify employment verification system.

Digital Government

FDA says its surveillance network exceeds goals

The Food and Drug Administration said it's met its initial target of accessing health data for 25 million people for its Sentinel electronic surveillance network.

Modernization

HHS to help push 'text4baby' service to 1 million

Mothers and mothers-to-be can sign up for the free text4baby mobile health program being expanded this month with help from the Health and Human Services Department.

People

Education plan outlines IT goals

The Education Department released its final plan for leveraging technology to improve learning and teaching.

Cybersecurity

SSA has problems with unauthorized software, IG says

The Social Security Administration needs to improve its controls over employees and contractors who install unapproved software on agency computers, according to a new report.

Digital Government

VA blog opens dialogue with vets

The Veterans Affairs Department's new blog is edited by Brandon Friedman, who also is VA director of new media.

Digital Government

Misuse of tax ID numbers costs at least $380M, IG says

An inspector general report said the IRS needs to improve its oversight of tax benefits for people who use Taxpayer Identification Numbers multiple times.

Digital Government

Gary Bass to leave OMB Watch

He founded the group 28 years ago.

Digital Government

White House creates new policy for controlled unclassified information

A new policy will reduce the confusion caused by multiple categories of protected but unclassified information, according to transparency advocates.

People

NARA issues guidance for identifying official records on social media

NARA head David Ferriero urges federal managers to be vigilant about identifying and preserving official records on Facebook, Twitter, wikis and blogs.

Cybersecurity

3 case studies in social media experimentation

Agencies and government contractors are notoriously reluctant to take risks, but some are venturing into the world of social networks, multimedia and interactive blogging and finding success.

Digital Government

FedSpace running in alpha mode

The FedSpace social network for federal employees and contractors has launched and is registering participants while still in alpha mode.

People

HHS boosts rate for Medicaid enrollment IT systems

The Health and Human Services Department will increase the money paid to help states establish insurance exchanges.

Acquisition

IT innovation might be at risk under new Congress, former Rep. Davis warns

Former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) predicts that the new House GOP majority will be zealous in scrutinizing agency IT innovations for possible cuts.

Digital Government

White House wants comments on nanotechnology plan

The draft strategic plan for the National Nanotechnology Initiative lays out a framework for research and development.

Modernization

EPA has problems digitizing documents, GAO says

The Environmental Protection Agency should finish writing a strategic plan and identifying its library holdings before continuing to digitize its records, a GAO report says.