Tech

Innovations give candidates new avenues to voters

Candidate profiles are everywhere from online social networks like Facebook and MySpace to online encyclopedias.

Tech

DHS official emphasizes importance of interoperable communications

Department also working to make process of awarding grants to states and localities more transparent.

Defense

Federal officials urge immediate preparation for pandemic

Threat should not be treated as hypothetical, HHS seasonal and pandemic flu coordinator says.

Tech

Democratic senators criticize administration's cybersecurity efforts

Failure to fill Cabinet-level cybersecurity post at the Homeland Security Department in a timely manner is reckless, senator says.

News

Political climate unfriendly to ID devices, backers say

Advocates argue that radio-frequency identification technology would dramatically benefit the nation’s security infrastructure.

Defense

Industry officials discuss plans for meeting federal ID standards

Officials say they are content with the standards and optimistic about meeting them.

Defense

Religious groups join fight against national IDs

Groups are endorsing a proposal that would make New Hampshire the first state to reject the federal requirement.

Defense

New Hampshire may buck feds over national IDs

The Granite State would be the first to refuse to comply with a federal statute requiring state-issued IDs to meet national standards by 2008.

Defense

Mandatory employment verification seen as privacy threat

Pilot program allowing employers to screen information from job applicants against federal databases has been a disaster, ACLU lawyer says.

News

FBI awards contract for technology upgrade

Winner of the $305 million Sentinel contract is not fazed by the failure of programs preceding this effort, company official says.

Defense

Lawmakers urge government, industry to partner on emergency communications

Key senator also says government should establish identification standards for all communications officials.

Management

IT management approach at VA sparks conflict

Department official defends decision to diverge from approach recommended by oversight committee and consulting firm.

Defense

Report: Plan for border surveillance system posed too many risks

GAO backs Homeland Security Department’s decision to re-evaluate program to install sensors, cameras and databases along the borders.

Defense

First responders detail emergency communications problems

Key issues include lack of equipment standards, inadequate funding and turf wars among federal, state and local officials.

Defense

Senators decry slow progress on passenger screening projects

Transportation Security Administration director says comprehensive audit would be necessary to review one system, further delaying it.

News

FCC panel convenes Katrina communications probe

Group to provide agency with list of recommendations by June 15 on improving nation's emergency response and communications systems.

Defense

DHS chief eyes ID cards with biometric data

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff stops short of advocating national identification card.

Defense

Chertoff touts risk management approach

Says new airline screening rules show DHS is not trying to "protect every single person against every risk at every moment at every place."

Defense

Traditional communications systems reliable in disasters, panelists say

Problems with power supplies, infrastructure and training make emerging technologies less appealing for emergency responders.