Cybersecurity

DHS, industry assess risks to IT sector

Government and private-sector experts identify risks to the country's information technology sector's key functions.

Cybersecurity

FISMA reporting must use automated tool

By Nov. 18, agencies must use a new automated reporting tool to meet their reporting requirements under the Federal Information Security Management Act.

People

Intell agency eyes geospatial data upgrade

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency wants information on geospatial data that it can use to upgrade its holdings.

Cybersecurity

Do we need a U.N. cybersecurity council?

The cyberattacks that plagued Georgia's online communications infrastructure in August 2008 have prompted some observers to call for an international body to deal with cybersecurity.

People

VA responds to IG reports of misconduct in IT office

The Veterans Affairs Department responds to the VA inspector general's findings of misconduct by people while working in the department's information technology office.

People

VA IG finds abuse of authority and ethical breaches in IT office

The Veterans Affairs' inspector general has found that people engaged in ethical violations while working for VA's information technology office.

Modernization

State plans to seek help for data center consolidation

The State Department plans to award a task order for help with its data center consolidation program.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard gets good marks on enterprise architecture

The Coast Guard has made progress on its enterprise architecture efforts, but should finish documentation, planning and get needed resources, the Homeland Security Department's inspector general says.

Cybersecurity

Passenger screening program to collect more data

U.S. airlines will begin collecting passengers' dates of birth and gender when they make reservations under the Transportation Security Administration’s Secure Flight program.

Cybersecurity

DHS plans cybersecurity wiki

The Homeland Security Department plans a new wiki that federal cybersecurity centers would use to coordinate efforts and improve situational awareness.

Modernization

DHS starts social network about Southwestern border

The Homeland Security Department is using a site called Ning.com to host a new social network that focuses on topics related to the Southwest border.

Cybersecurity

Virtual FOSE: Metrics, comparisons recommended for winning IT security support

Alan Paller, the director of research at the SANS Institute, recommends that IT security professionals without budget authority use reliable metrics, numbers and comparisons to win support from executives.

Cybersecurity

IG: Energy needs more protection for some data

The Energy Department's inspector general says more action is needed to protect the department's electronic information that is unclassified, but sensitive.

Cybersecurity

Business groups want Congress to address E-Verify concerns

TechAmerica and others ask lawmakers to deal with their worries about E-Verify.

Cybersecurity

IG fears risks to DHS stimulus money

The Homeland Security Department's inspector general has said DHS should work to mitigate risks that may affect its capability to prudently spend, manage and report on $2.8 billion it got in stimulus money, including hundreds of millions for technology.

Cybersecurity

US-CERT director resigns

Mischel Kwon, director of the Homeland Security Department's operational cybersecurity team that handles cyber incident detection, warning and response activities for civilian agencies’ networks, has resigned. She will join RSA in early September.

Cybersecurity

Murphy leads Treasury's HSPD-12 charge

Mary Beth Murphy shepherded Treasury's employee ID card effort.

Cybersecurity

Agencies told to target money for tech projects

Agencies should design their science and technology spending plans for fiscal 2011 around priorities reflected in the economic stimulus law and the fiscal 2010 budget, administration officials say.

People

OMB wants employee, contractor balance

Agencies should find the best balance between contractors and employees in their workforces, the Office of Management and Budget says.

Cybersecurity

Hathaway's departure renews worries about cyberczar vacancy

The resignation of Melissa Hathaway, the Obama administration’s acting senior director for cyberspace, has brought renewed scrutiny on the administration's effort to secure the online world.