Defense

From Nextgov: Homeland Security secretary promises more information sharing

Janet Napolitano says collaborating with state and local governments is crucial to counterterrorism.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Most federal CIOs have direct line to agency leaders

The majority report to top executives, survey shows , but they seek more influence over strategic direction.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Group unveils security controls to thwart cyberattacks

Guidelines designed to offer protection against known attacks on agency systems.

News

From Nextgov.com: DISA to limit use of time-and-materials contracts

The agency will favor performance-based arrangements , officials say.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DHS announces departmentwide efficiency review

Secretary Napolitano asks managers to submit reports on ways to reduce costs and streamline processes , with technology likely to be a cornerstone of the effort.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Bush's cyber chief calls national security initiative too secret

Greg Garcia says plan to protect major networks was coordinated and effective, but admits DHS could have done more to share information.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DHS set to begin tech component of troubled border network

SBI Director Mark Borkowski says the program's on track but faces funding hurdles and Secretary Janet Napolitano's history of skepticism.

Managing Technology

Reaching for the Clouds

Shared approach provides IT tools when they’re needed and cuts costs when they’re not.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Tougher security standards coming for removable storage devices

Modifications to contracts would require protections from worms and viruses, and stronger encryption requirements.

Oversight

Breach of federal jobs site highlights need for contractor liability, security observer says

Hacked information could be used for targeted phishing attacks and other scams.

Defense

From Nexgov.com: Defense cybersecurity budget request likely a third more than reported

More than $1 billion in fiscal 2009 IT security budget request embedded in general program spending, not linked to networks, research group estimates.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Online specialists praise, question White House Web site

WhiteHouse.gov has solid content, but online researchers wonder how the Obama administration will manage the flood of public feedback it has invited.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: White House ordered to search employee computers for missing e-mails

Directive, which includes memory sticks, CDs and DVDs, is part of an effort to find messages from a period of more than two years.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: FBI studies biometrics to plan its future research

Report recommends how to improve the technologies the bureau and other agencies use to identify individuals .

Tech

From Nextgov.com: After more than a year, Canon is back on GSA Schedule

After dropping its GSA contract in face of questions about its pricing, the company is back with cheaper products .

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Governments accounted for 1 out of 5 data breaches

Reports show that in 2008 most incidents occurred while data was in transit.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: War gaming offers agencies methodology for assessing risk

Simulation technique should not be reserved for military operations, industry specialist says.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: Agency to assess value of electronic health networks

Researchers will canvass Colorado providers to find out if they've found an online information exchange useful .

Managing Technology

Mind Meld

With computers now controlling critical assets, it's more important than ever for cyber and physical security managers to work together.

News

From Nextgov.com: Obama administration looks to fill more than 300 IT positions

Defense has the most open presidentially appointed technology jobs .