Digital Government

VeriSign gets GSA FIPS-201 certification

Its Shared Service Provider PKI is the first of 90 products to receive certification through GSA's evaluation program.

Cybersecurity

Groups call for improved cyber-COOP preparedness

The U.S. is not ready for a major natural disaster or cyberattack that disables Internet infrastructure, according to a business group's cybersecurity report.

Cybersecurity

Move to extend wiretap law to VOIP criticized

Skeptics: Old law doesn’t fit new technology.

Cybersecurity

UPDATED: Secretive TopOff 4 exercise tests multiagency preparedness for WMD attacks

The FBI, DHS and FEMA divided responsibilities to test their readiness to respond to threats, in conjunction with state and local emergency responders.

People

Heritage Foundation hosts ‘24’ panel

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff claims to be a big fan of the show, as are other senior political and military officials.

People

GAO: DHS hasn’t used expedited spending authority

The department is willing to relinquish streamlined acquisition procedures Congress gave it after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Cybersecurity

FEMA pledges better disaster relief fund payouts

Poor use of IT frequently led to payment of fraudulent claims in 2005.

People

GAO: TSA still hasn't fixed Secure Flight

The agency has not developed complete systems requirements for Secure Flight or done essential systems testing, a report finds.

Modernization

IWN moves to second phase

General Dynamics, Lockheed will vie for $3B wireless contract

Modernization

COOP policies lack leadership

Policy-makers push telework to the center of business continuity planning.

People

Justice picks General Dynamics, Lockheed for wireless work

The two integrators, picked from a field of five, will compete to design the wireless network, which will serve 80,000 users in law enforcement.

People

UPDATED: Officials say US-VISIT spending plan not ready

Department approval will free previously frozen funds for many key security efforts.

Cybersecurity

GAO: FEMA, Red Cross must coordinate logistics better

A GAO report says FEMA's lack of a comprehensive system to track assistance requests in 2005 added to the Red Cross’ workload and slowed delivery of relief services.

People

DHS’ Holcomb to retire

Lee Holcomb, the Homeland Security Department’s chief technology officer, will retire at the end of June, according to a letter sent to the federal CIO Council.

Cybersecurity

Gartner critical of current business continuity plans

In a recent survey, 72 percent of respondents said they did not include federal, state and local authorities in their 2005 planning efforts.

People

Experts: Managers can impede telework, COOP

Managers’ misunderstandings and unwillingness to change are two of the main hindrances to implementing telework and continuity-of-operations plans.

People

Storm Watch 2006: Ready or not

Authorities enter the 2006 hurricane season better prepared than last year but not as ready as they would like to be.

People

Officials: Fed tech ready for 2006 hurricane season

Civilian and military agencies have fixed many technology glitches they encountered last year.

Cybersecurity

Americans want better data security laws

An April survey of 1,150 adults found that less than one in five believe that existing laws are sufficient to protect them on the Internet.

People

Report warns RFID is not best for tracking people

Supporters and critics disagree about whether the technology can protect privacy.