Technology
Top News
- Congress pressures agencies to speed up office consolidations
- Katherine Archuleta chosen as next OPM director
- Data breach puts DHS workers at risk of identity theft
- DoD chooses interoperability over integration for new e-health system
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- OMB fuels synergy between mobile, open data
- IRS official Lerner: 'I did nothing wrong'
- Accountability breakdown leading factor in DoD sexual assaults
- OMB reworking financial system requirements
- Federal retirement funds temporarily tapped
- VanRoekel to lead OMB management team
- Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal finalists
- Thursday federal headlines - May 23, 2013
Maximizing Savings in the Cloud
The Federal government's Cloud First Strategy identified $20 billion in potential savings from cloud computing. While this represents 25% of the total Federal IT budget, it corresponds to a measly 3% of the total Federal government's budget. Tapping into this larger cost savings opportunity won't be easy but it is a necessity. For this to happen, cloud computing needs to be better leveraged to bring not only IT efficiency but also to bring mission efficiency.
Court puts temporary hold on STOCK Act reporting requirement
A district court judge has put a hold on the section of the STOCK Act that requires 28,000 federal executives to publish their financial information online.
First elements of DoD's Joint Information Environment come together in Europe
At meetings this week, DoD gives European Command the go-ahead to start building the first increment of a standards-based IT environment that will collapse thousands of networks into a single, interoperable environment.
Agencies' Section 508 compliance mixed, survey finds
The survey found lack of resources, awareness and training were the most common challenges in complying with Section 508. Fifteen percent of agency components said they could not identify any challenges to 508 compliance.
Sen. Wyden reminds White House to limit scope of cyber order
The Select Committee on Intelligence member wrote a letter to White House Cyber Coordinator Michael Daniel asking him to make sure any mandate doesn't harm the networks used for interactive computer services.
Bill would require permission for phone monitoring
A new bill would require telecoms to obtain customers' permission before they monitor their telephone usage.
PTO changes the way it invests in IT systems
John Owens, the Patent and Trademark Office's CIO, said the agency used to spend 85 percent of its IT budget on operations and maintenance (O&M) support and 15 percent on development, modernization and enhancements (DME) of systems. Now, the agency spends 50 percent on each. That change has allowed it to upgrade IT systems without additional money.
Process underway to one day bring cyber weapons to battlefield
Army officials said first they have to define what exactly is a cyber weapon or tactical fire in military-speak.
Verizon teams with McAfee to offer anti-virus software
The Android platform has become a prime target for viruses. The operating system has struggled to catch up with Apple's IOS in terms of security.
VA's Blue Button now at 1 million users, aims at 100 million soon
Veterans Affairs PHR effort has already gone far beyond VA. After reaching 1 million users, originators of the project have set their sights on 100 million.
Mobile device managment
Ojas Rege, vice president of Strategy for MobileIron, joins host John Gilroy to talk about how his company can help you manage a wide variety of mobile devices.
September 11, 2012
25-point IT plan summary
In September 2010, the White House released its 25-point plan for IT reform, aimed at eliminating flailing programs, shifting to a "cloud first" policy and consolidating data centers.
Network security
Terry Dunlap, founding partner of Tactical Network Solutions talks about the services his company provides to protect your computer networks from hackers.
September 10, 2012
Congress faces continuing resolution, sequestration and postal reform
Lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C., this week with a packed agenda. Topping the list of priorities is hammering out final details of a stopgap spending measure to keep the government running beyond the end of the fiscal year -- Sept. 30. Amid the election-year politicking, the list of unfinished business also includes legislation to restructure the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service and a cybersecurity bill that aims to safeguard the nation's critical infrastructure. Perhaps looming largest of all is what Congress plans to do about automatic, across-the-board cuts, known as sequestration, set to take effect Jan. 2. Failure to avert the cuts could send the country over a "fiscal cliff," budget experts warn.
GSA accredits 12 organizations to test cloud security
The General Services Administration has announced it has authorized 12 companies as third party assessment organizations for FedRAMP and will will assure cloud services providers meet security requirements.
White House draft cyber order promotes voluntary critical infrastructure protections
The administration is considering using an executive order to promote and encourage critical infrastructure providers to improve their cybersecurity. The draft EO, which Federal News Radio obtained details of, mirrors major sections of the second version of the Lieberman- Collins comprehensive cyber bill.
Intel warns 3Q revenue will drop on PC weakness
Intel's sales are falling at a rate that blindsided the chip-maker's management, amplifying Wall Street's worries about the slumping personal computer market and the frail economy.
National Cyber Security Hall of Fame names first dozen nominees
Nominees include former White House cybersecurity czar Howard Schmidt, NIST expert Ron Ross and the late government computer security pioneer Lynn McNulty.
Malware targets phone users
Lookout says hackers in Russia and other countries are using premium messaging services to bilk phone users out of their money. Lookout says most of the attacks affect Android phones.
Army Contracting Command easing burden on contracting officers
Gino Magnifico, the ACC's chief information officer, said his component is helping to lead an Armywide effort to develop a new contract writing system. It's not just a technology refresh, however. It's about improving the business processes.
September 6, 2012
