News

From Nextgov.com: FEMA chief taps social media's potential for aiding disaster response

‘Two-way conversation’ with the public pursued through designing communication systems for easy access by online masses.

News

From Nextgov.com: Homeland Security kills secure border tech program

The department decides to end Boeing contract for the troubled SBInet initiative and come up with a new technology plan.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Commerce announces new shop to oversee online security

Office will coordinate public-private efforts to better protect electronic transactions for people and organizations.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Key lawmaker wants to limit full-body screening at airports

Legislation would bar TSA from using advanced imaging technology scanners for primary inspection.

Features

Tracing Transparency

President Obama’s open government initiative unleashed a torrent of agency data, but citizens still don’t believe they’re getting the whole story.

News

From Nextgov.com: Lawmakers say cybersecurity is a top priority in 2011

Revamping the 2002 Federal Information Security Management Act is urgently needed , some say.

News

From Nextgov.com: Missing GPO laptops contained no sensitive data, agency says

Statement addresses IG concerns that secret intelligence and passport information might have been compromised.

Defense

VA to institute Medicare-based fees for certain services

Officials say savings will be used to invest in new treatments; lawmakers express concern about access to kidney care in rural areas.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DHS chief says cybersecurity is a civilian -- not military -- problem

Homeland Security will partner with Defense and private sector to safeguard Internet users and infrastructure , Napolitano says.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Aftermath of WikiLeaks flap underscores vulnerabilities of the cloud

Denial-of-service attacks show the risks to operations when agencies rely on third parties to host IT services, say cybersecurity experts.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: White House details sweeping changes to federal computing

The 40-page strategy directs agency IT leaders to follow a ‘cloud first’ policy and evaluate the practicality of leasing access to Web-based equipment before buying new hardware or software.

News

From Nextgov.com: Loopholes in global aviation system pose challenges to effective screening, officials say

Legal and cultural differences among countries could be roadblocks to developing standard security measures .

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: White House set to complete security standards for cloud computing services in 2011

Federal CIO Vivek Kundra says administration will wrap up talks with industry in January, and finalize guidance for government within six months.

Managing Technology

Cybersecurity’s Moon Shot

NASA is leading the way with a mandate to manage computer risks in real time.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: TSA seeks improved airport screening methods

Agency sought advanced technologies prior to concerns over full-body scans and pat-downs.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Countering WikiLeaks could stifle information sharing

Experts favor efforts to change behavior of would-be leakers rather than seeking new technical ways to protect secret government data .

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: OMB plan to streamline IT purchasing wins praise but faces headwinds

House Republicans and appropriations players could resist effort to align federal technology refreshment with funding cycle.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Air cargo screening lacks advanced intelligence, DHS testifies

First details provided on technological protections used in aftermath of attempted bombing of planes originating in Yemen.

News

From Nextgov.com: Bypass FOIA and seek data from agencies, says Obama official

White House transparency deputy says open government officers will cooperate and accelerate document disclosure .

News

From Nextgov.com: Lawmakers expect DHS to cancel troubled border security program

SBInet contract has encountered cost, schedule and performance problems .