Ideas
DHS Bumps Real ID Deadline
After months of <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20091124_7157.php>speculation</a>, the Homeland Security Department officially moved back the compliance deadline for Real ID, which requires states to issue licenses that meet federal security standards.
Ideas
Intellectual Property: Hindering Green IT?
Intellectual property rights ensure competitiveness, but do they hinder progress? In terms of green IT, it depends on who you ask.
Cybersecurity
Still no substantive change in cybersecurity policies, processes
Bush cyber chief praises Obama administration for greater focus on security issues, but says approach is largely a continuation of existing programs and activities.
Ideas
DHS Steps Up Information Sharing
State and local governments just may enjoy greater access to federal information, if recommendations from an interagency task force actually get implemented. Led by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder, the Presidential Interagency Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information released <a href=http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/cui_task_force_rpt.pdf>a report</a> recommending a "single, standardized framework for making, safeguarding and disseminating sensitive but unclassified information."
Digital Government
NIST releases update to security standards for sensitive data
Rule specifies requirements for computer components providing services for confidentiality and information authentication.
Digital Government
Administration proposes metrics for testing FISMA performance
Recommended measures "encourage agencies to take concrete steps to improve their security," announcement states.
Digital Government
Tech firm stands accused of contract manipulation
Three Texas companies file a motion against GTSI for circumventing competitive bidding requirements.
Digital Government
Managing buildings under one network could boost energy efficiency
Disparate communications, temperature control and security systems are difficult to oversee and manage, according to speakers at a green technology forum.
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks against critical U.S. networks rising at a faster rate
Antiquated technology blamed for the increasing number of attacks.
Ideas
Idea: Unified Cybersecurity Committee
The government relations firm Livingston Group sent <a href="http://www.govexec.com/nextgov/1209/120309j1.pdf">letter</a> to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and minority leader John Boehner recommending Congress unify the plethora of committees that hold jurisdiction over cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity
DHS completes draft of plan on how to respond to a national cyberattack
The final strategy outlining public and private roles and responsibilities will be completed after public comment and then will be put to the test in September 2010.
Cybersecurity
Former officials: White House cyber coordinator should have budget authority
The current decentralized budget process hinders the administration's ability to develop and implement a governmentwide cyber strategy.
Cybersecurity
Conflicting information security standards slow acquisitions
Agencies have similar baseline requirements but add custom specifications, making it difficult for vendors to build widely accepted products.
Ideas
Nothrop Grumman forms cyber consoritium
Federal contractor Northrop Grumman <a href="http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=179362">announced</a> a Cybersecurity Research Consortium Tuesday morning that will combine its own research expertise with that of Carnegie Mellon, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Purdue University to develop solutions to counter cyber threats.
Digital Government
Survey shows cyberattacks are getting more disruptive
Increasing number of incidents involve invading computer networks and defacing Web sites.
Digital Government
Nuclear security agency earns kudos for green supercomputers
NNSA's machines rank not only among the world's fastest but also the most energy efficient.
Cybersecurity
Former cyber exec: Spread cybersecurity responsibilities
In an interview with Nextgov, former director of the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team Mischel Kwon also calls for less regulation and following basic patch processes to secure systems.
Cybersecurity
University unites industry, gov to tighten energy sector cybersecurity
Professors hope program overcomes what they see as a lack of cooperation among government and businesses to develop policies to protect and respond to a cyberattack on power companies.
Digital Government