Modernization

DHS falls short on data-center consolidation, IG says

A new audit says DHS should work harder to fix shortcomings in its data-center consolidation plans.

Cybersecurity

DHS used Facebook for investigations, group reveals

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has released two policy memos about a policy dating to the administration of President George W. Bush of "friending" and "following" people on Facebook and Twitter for the purpose of investigations.

People

FDA strategic plan heavily reliant on IT

The Food and Drug Administration set agencywide goals in its new draft Strategic Priorities Plan for 2011 to 2015 that touch on many uses of IT.

Digital Government

DOD, VA consider more integration for EHR systems, VA official says

The Veterans Affairs Department and the Defense Department are seeking to modernize their patient health record systems.

Modernization

CMS puts Medicare personal health data at your fingertips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rolls out a new download capability to grant 47 million Medicare patients online access to their medical records.

Cybersecurity

Morphing threat landscape demands evolution in agency cyber battle planning

A Symantec executive supplies federal agencies with a few tips about the state of the cybersecurity universe.

Digital Government

This just in from the 'Department of Redundancy Reduction Department'

GSA's Gwynne Kostin offered a humorous take on efforts to improve federal workforce productivity during the FedScoop FedTalks 2010 conference.

People

DOD brainstorms new digital health record system

The Defense Department is preparing for the next-generation Electronic Health Record Way Ahead project with a study of alternatives that will be discussed this month.

Modernization

GSA debuts new Web 2.0 tools and hosting for federal agencies

The General Services Administration launches Citizen.Apps.gov, a new website to help federal agencies reach out to the public with free Web 2.0 tools.

People

FedScoop, health IT conferences commence

A pair of conferences in Washington get under way and feature government executives speaking about innovation and other IT-related issues.

People

OPM not doing enough to protect privacy on background checks, GAO says

The Office of Personnel Management handles about 2 million background checks a year, but it needs to do more to ensure that privacy is protected, GAO says.

Digital Government

How technology can reinvigorate the education system

President Barack Obama set a goal of making the United States first in the world in post-secondary academic degrees by 2020, and Jim Shelton says technology is what will get us there.

Modernization

Bedbugs beware: EPA weaves web(site) on how to kill you

The Environmental Protection Agency has a new online search tool to find pesticides for killing bedbugs.

Modernization

Consolidate IT infrastructure, save $1 trillion, CEOs say

The Technology CEO Council claims the federal government can save $1 trillion in 10 years by streamlining supply chains, consolidating data centers, automating paper processes and applying anti-fraud analytic tools.

Cybersecurity

White House slow to implement cybersecurity recommendations, GAO says

The White House moves to implement the 22 recommendations of a cybersecurity review last year, auditors find.

Digital Government

DOD unhappy with electronic records upgrade

The Defense Department should learn from the problems with its AHLTA medical records system before buying a new system, GAO says.

People

VA losing ground on GI benefits automation program, IG says

The Veterans Affairs Department is moving to automate the processing of veterans' education benefits, but the program is still vulnerable to performance and cost problems, according to the VA's inspector general.

People

Social networks are most popular Gov 2.0 tool, survey says

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are the most commonly used Gov 2.0 tools for government agencies, according to a new survey.

Digital Government

IBM debuts CityOne simulation game for urban planning

IBM Corp. has launched CityOne, an online interactive simulation game designed to help local government officials find innovative solutions for energy, water, traffic, banking and retail problems.

Digital Government

VA two years behind schedule on issuing secure ID cards, IG concludes

The Veterans Affairs Department is nearly two years behind schedule in implementing secure credentials for employees and contractors as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12.