Cybersecurity
White House backing could leave social media sites more vulnerable
Users will grow too trusting unless the administration alerts them to the risk of cyberattacks, security experts say.
Cybersecurity
Cyber leadership takes shape at Homeland Security
Experts hope DHS will improve coordination of cybersecurity initiatives.
Cybersecurity
DHS begins collecting feedback on long-term strategic plan
The first of three dialogues asks the public to comment on the department's broad visions and goals, while follow-ups will ask for opinions about specific homeland security plans and strategies.
Digital Government
Agencies fail to make information sharing a priority
Intel official tells lawmakers the system for implementing cross-government efforts is broken.
Digital Government
Lawmaker proposes banning federal use of certain file-sharing software
Oversight committee chair also pledges an investigation into whether vendors can be held responsible for failing to install adequate privacy safeguards.
Digital Government
Lack of coordination stalls emergency response planning
Homeland Security claims a lack of incentives make it difficult to compel federal agencies to collaborate.
Digital Government
Spires named Homeland Security CIO, faces 'huge challenges'
The IRS' former chief information officer is credited with turning around that agency's modernization program, a feat that helped him land his new post, sources say.
Cybersecurity
Consortium sponsors competitions to develop cybersecurity workforce
Group aims to identify 10,000 highly skilled computer security high school and college students to fill the demand for cyber workers in federal agencies.
Cybersecurity
Independent commission plans second report on cybersecurity requirements
Recommendations will address privacy, civil liberties and engagement of international allies in implementing policy.
Digital Government
Congress asks for assurances of E-Verify information security
Increased use of tool could make the employment verification system a target for cyberattack.
Digital Government
Security experts push to require federal information security guidelines
Inclusion of recommendations in NIST's list of computer security controls seen as a positive first step.
Cybersecurity
Companies, academics form coalition to promote open-source software
The applications programs support Obama's call for transparency, collaboration and public participation, say founders of Open Source for America.
Cybersecurity
Congress must do more to protect grid from cyber, nuclear attacks
DHS has shown "neither an understanding nor a willingness to consider the problem of electromagnetic threats," specialist tells a House panel.
Digital Government
Agencies advised to be strategic in gathering online feedback
Officials must identify the audience they're trying to reach, ask the right questions and find an appropriate technology platform, panelists say.
Ideas
GAO Shines Light on FISMA's Failings ... Again
The Government Accountability Office once again shined a glaring spotlight on the <a href=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09546.pdf>failings</a> of the Federal Information Security Act, reporting Friday that "significant weaknesses in information security policies and practices threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information and information systems used to support the operations, assets, and personnel of most federal agencies."
Ideas
Battle of the Browsers
Microsoft's ubiquitous Web browser, Internet Explorer, has scored some headlines this week, though not necessarily positive. Only a week after Nextgov editor Allan Holmes <a href=http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2009/07/feds_want_their_firefox.php>posted</a> a blog about State Department employees demanding Firefox, a popular IE alternative, Federal News Radio's Jason Miller <a href=http://federalnewsradio.com/?nid=35&sid=1719202>reports</a> about complaints from federal grant applicants frustrated by the Grants.gov portal, which doesn't support Firefox or Google's new browser, Chrome.
Digital Government
Treasury further behind in ID card distribution than reported
A faulty definition of "issued" is at the heart of the discrepancy, inspector general finds.
Digital Government
GAO: Grant application portal littered with technical problems
Cumbersome registration requirements, no accountability for the site's performance and different policies for processing applications result in inconsistent awards.
Digital Government