Author Archive
Features
Staying On Track
Keeping tabs on foreign visitors as they arrive has been a surprising information technology success. Noting their departure promises to be much harder.
Defense
DHS office seeks to coordinate anti-bomb efforts
The Office of Bombing Prevention doesn’t cut red and green wires, but it tries to cut red tape for those who do.
Defense
Video: A Feel For Numbers
A video report on the uses -- and abuses -- of data in the fight against terrorism.
News And Analysis
Erasing IEDs
The Office of Bombing Prevention doesn’t cut red and green wires, but it tries to cut red tape for those who do.
Defense
Homeland Security issues contract for presidential transition planning help
Nonprofit group will organize a bipartisan advisory panel and develop a plan to prepare for the next administration.
Features
A Feel For Numbers
What if we fought terrorism using hard data instead of gut feelings and partisan politics?
News
Watchdog finds DHS division improperly transferred funds
Directorate failed to meet the legal requirements for pooling funds from multiple appropriations accounts, GAO says.
Defense
Economist warns against vague statements on security threats
Officials should make sure any information they provide is backed by data analysis, rather than gut feelings, researcher says.
Defense
Lawmakers concerned over slow pace of anthrax vaccine acquisition
Health and Human Services spokesman says department plans to issue a request for proposals by the end of the year.
Defense
Watchdog finds gaps in DHS visitor tracking program
Officials at risk of repeating past failures unless they develop a more detailed plan for new, biometric-based system to record exits by air.
Features
Thick or Thin
Homeland Security officials wrestle with the best way to spread grant money among cities and states.
Defense
FEMA looks to private sector for disaster provisions
New third-party system will be the primary focus of the agency’s logistics operation in fiscal 2008, official says.
Features
Big Contracts, Big Problems
Lead systems integrators are in the hot seat as major programs flounder.
News And Analysis
Shuffling Supplies
FEMA turns to the private sector to make sure disaster areas get ample provisions—and fast.
Management
Spiraling Into Control
An intriguing DHS program fills safety gaps fast with low-cost technology.
Features
Security Theater
There’s little downside to being alarmist about terror, so we spend too much on measures that evoke feelings of security without actually improving it.
Managing Technology
Spiraling Into Control
An intriguing DHS program fills safety gaps fast with low-cost technology.
News And Analysis
Big Round Numbers
From radiation treatment to smallpox vaccines to port security, do agencies really know how much is enough?
