Cybersecurity

DHS demands turnkey-ready border system

The Homeland Security Department is giving a strong warning to vendors about its needs for the next phase of border surveillance technology strategy.

People

VA performance dashboard failed to protect personal data, OIG says

The Veterans Affairs Department set up a performance dashboard populated with sensitive data and failed to adequately protect it from unauthorized access, according to a new report.

Modernization

VA could give MS Office the boot

Office is the government's dominant productivity suite, but the Veterans Affairs department would like to find a less expensive alternative.

Digital Government

National Archives to see dip in its budget next year

NARA takes small budget hit, leader expresses confidence.

Cybersecurity

GAO finds overlaps in IT investments within DOE and DOD

CIOs dispute some of the GAO's conclusions during a House hearing.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers worried about possible 'chilling effect' of DHS social monitoring

DHS could stifle public discussion if it's not careful in monitoring social media, lawmakers warn.

Digital Government

Mobile app or mobile website -- does it make any difference?

The Government Printing Office put the U.S. budget request on mobile devices for the first time and in the process re-ignited the federal agency debate on mobile apps vs. websites.

Digital Government

DOJ kills wireless network in budget request

Department cuts dozens of technology programs in 2013 budget.

People

Transparency on government spending: The missing links

Data on spending is available through existing programs, but gaps make it difficult to get the kind of details that many people would like.

Cybersecurity

US-VISIT could move again

The White House's budget request for fiscal 2013 proposes another shift in oversight for the Homeland Security Department's US-VISIT biometric technology program, among other IT-related changes.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard info-sharing at ports slow to get started

The Coast Guard has made some progress but still has a long way to go to carry out the information-sharing goals of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

Acquisition

Agencies stuck with tab for federal contractor pensions, taxpayer group says

The Citizens Against Government Waste taxpayer group is investigating the extent to which federal agencies are on the hook for expensive contractor pension benefits.

People

VA responds to accusations about excessive outsourcing

The VA's dispute with its employees' union continued to heat up as the agency responded to claims that its outsourcing practices are undermining its veteran hiring goals.

Digital Government

Army, Navy and National Guard first to venture onto Pinterest

Military agencies are making a foray onto the popular new Pinterest social media service, but good luck finding their official home pages in the mix.

People

VA accused of excessive outsourcing of vets' jobs

The Veterans Affairs Department is continuing to outsource jobs currently or historically held by veterans, according to union.

Modernization

Where have all the federal watchdogs gone?

The Project on Government Oversight created a new database to keep track of which federal agencies have vacancies in the position of inspector general.

People

Chopra defends tech policy impact on federal workers

In his last appearance as federal CTO, Aneesh Chopra was called upon to defend the impact of the administration's innnovation policies on federal employees.

Digital Government

Agencies get new IT fraud prevention tool

The Recovery Accountability & Transparency Board is conducting pilot projects with other federal agencies of a new anti-fraud tool.

Digital Government

Feds making fewer improper payments

Many agencies still have not tried to figure out why they make improper payments, but the total has declined.

Digital Government

Pinterest of interest, but feds not yet sold on it

The rapidly growing Pinterest.com social website is catching attention, but federal agencies are not active on it yet.