Cybersecurity

White House officially hands cyber oversight to DHS

Memo outlining cybersecurity duties seen as a response to Congress' call for better compliance with security law.

Cybersecurity

Official calls securing critical infrastructure against cyberattack impractical

An Energy intelligence official says utilities and companies operating major industries cannot afford to check all technology products for vulnerabilities.

Digital Government

IRS fails to identify contractors with access to taxpayer data

Many annual security reviews also were not conducted and weaknesses in computer systems were not checked for fixes.

Modernization

Agencies wary of handing over security management to cloud providers

Officials still want to manage certain controls internally, report finds.

Digital Government

TSA will miss cargo screening deadline

Official says the United States should recognize international programs that meet its standards.

Ideas

The Web as Spy Tool

Digital Government

Key lawmaker emphasizes need for new border security technology

Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar also urges better collaboration with state law enforcement.

Cybersecurity

National ID management plan draft short on details

Online users and a former top IT official question how security and privacy will be addressed in the proposed strategy to verify identities online.

Digital Government

Obama administration cracks down on late, over budget IT projects

White House orders review of all high-risk IT initiatives, halts investments in financial system modernization efforts.

Digital Government

TSA looks for administrative software to support Secure Flight

The growing program requires administrative software to manage the comings and goings of government and contractor staff, and to track equipment such as phones and computers.

Digital Government

White House to unveil revised ID management plan Friday

Strategy will build on past efforts, including the Bush administration's attempt to establish universal credentials for accessing federal buildings and computers.

Modernization

For contractors, offering federal cloud services is a risky business

Security and data retention requirements specific to the government raise the stakes for vendors to make sure they frame their services correctly, law firm says.

Digital Government

DHS official thinks future of virtual border fence project is bleak

Executive director of the Secure Border Initiative says the electronic surveillance program 'already doesn't look like a wise thing to do.'

Cybersecurity

DHS needs power to compel agencies to fix security holes

The Office of Management and Budget also should have the authority to tell federal managers they will help pay for the work or bluntly say they must find the money, experts tell Congress.

Cybersecurity

DHS: President has adequate authority to handle cyber emergencies

Existing laws allow the commander in chief to control communications during wars, senior official notes.

Ideas

Advantage of Executive (Cyber) Privilege

What's the biggest advantage of taking the job of cybersecurity coordinator at the White House? Being able to turn your nose up at Congress, apparently.

Cybersecurity

A governmentwide cybersecurity purchasing contract gains converts

Experts say the expanding security threat calls for a program that allows agencies to buy cyber equipment and services within days off a vehicle designed after the massive Networx telecommunications contract.

Modernization

Draft plans to consolidate data centers due this month

Finals submissions, due by the end of July, will include a detailed inventory and information on the types of servers and processes used in each center and how much power they consume.

Cybersecurity

Bill: President could order companies to deploy security fixes

If the government believes private networks that operate the nation's critical infrastructure are threatened, then companies could be required to follow specific security measures.

Digital Government

IG says computer systems connected to Homeland Security network are not secure

Sensitive information is at risk, watchdog reports.