Oversight

Mars lander communications successfully linked

NASA uses system of more than 100,000 lines of software code to direct Phoenix spacecraft and explore the Red Planet .

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Hill: Regulatory groups fail to protect power grid from cyberattacks

Federal regulatory commission says it needs more authority to force plants to tighten security for computer networks.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Government's computer security grade improves slightly for 2007

But some say the report card’s finding means little in light of its shortcomings.

Tech

From Nextgov.com: DHS awards networking contract, worth up to $1 billion

Verizon and AT&T beat out Qwest for OneNet initiative .

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Bill lays out stricter info security requirements for DHS

Conducting vulnerability tests against known cyberattacks and setting requirements for the CIO post would be part of a bill that fixes shortcomings in a federal security law.

Defense

Less than 8 percent of port workers have new security ID cards

DHS moves deadline to issue more than 1 million credentials to April 2009.

Defense

From NextGov.com: GAO says $1 billion needed to expand employee verification system

Bill to make E-Verify mandatory would require more staff at SSA and DHS, but would cost far less than policing U.S. borders, proponents argue.

Defense

Only 3 percent of feds, contractors have received new ID cards

After solving “data quality” issues, OMB finds that the number of workers needing the high-tech cards has more than doubled since its last report.

Oversight

New tax provision could cost Defense $17 billion

Department’s report to Congress details expense of withholding 3 percent of payments to contractors.

Oversight

IBM suspension lifted

Agencies can resume awarding contracts for products and services from the company.

Oversight

GSA now says resellers not affected by IBM suspension

Federal contractors can continue to sell IBM products under their own contracts.

Oversight

GSA official: IBM 'suspension is not punishment'

Resellers to feel the financial pain of company’s disbarment from receiving new federal contracts.

Defense

Defense to focus more on content, less on the network

"Content-centric" model will allow the department and civilian agencies to pool information in a more secure way to make better decisions.

Oversight

IBM suspended from new federal contracts

With scant details, federal agencies are instructed not to award procurements to the technology giant.

Defense

GPO: Article 'misstated' facts of offshoring e-passport production

Congress still concerned about security of work processes for high-tech passports.

Oversight

Number of bogus IRS e-mails spikes

Security vendor reports a 3,000 percent increase in the number of phishing attempts to trick taxpayers to give up personal information.

Oversight

Contract award protests charging conflicts of interest on the rise

As agencies rely more on outside contractors to evaluate bids, GAO sees more complaints about bias.

Oversight

Collaboration essential to overcoming skepticism about shared services, report says

Agencies still hesitant about funding and reluctant to share data, according to IT officials.

Oversight

IRS improves tax processing capabilities

Funding for business system modernization still poses a challenge for long-term success, IRS official says.

Defense

Cyberexercise shows need for better training to avoid major network failures

During the largest cyberexercise ever organized, backup systems worked but personnel need more training, DHS official says.