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.

Cybersecurity

Managing Technology: Phantom Post

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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

Watchdog notes scheduling issues with visitor-tracking project

Homeland Security is operating the exit portion of the project off multiple, uncoordinated timelines, GAO says.