Agency of the Month
Top News
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- FedRAMP achieves another cloud security milestone
- OMB reworking financial systems to focus on outcomes, not inputs
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- Causey: Today, everybody's a Sooner
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- Star witness to stay mum for House hearing on IRS
- OMB director taps VanRoekel to lead management team
- Lew taps government retiree pension fund
- SBA starting new lending program for veterans
- New Apple devices cleared to join DoD IT networks
- Army prioritizes access to data in fight over intelligence IT system
- DoD upends slow approval process for mobile devices
- Senior execs' bonuses under fire at agencies
- Wednesday federal headlines - May 22, 2013
Department of Homeland Security
Agency of the Month examines the many important facets of government agencies. Each month, Federal News Radio speaks with top executives from a specific agency about the issues most important to its mission. The Agency of the Month for September 2012 - the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS cultivates cyber workforce, tools
The Department of Homeland Security is looking for people with "deep technical skills" as well as those who can analyze events to fill the holes in its cyber workforce, according to Chris Cummiskey, DHS' deputy under secretary for management, and Mark Weatherford, under secretary for cybersecurity in the National Protection and Programs Directorate.
Planning, performance measures put DHS on solid financial footing
Peggy Sherry, the agency's CFO, said when budget cuts do come they are prepared. DHS already has been finding efficiencies in its spending. Ed Johnson, FEMA's CFO, said this type of approach has filtered down to the components.
DHS surfing the retirement wave, turns focus to leadership, morale
Catherine Emerson, the agency's chief human capital officer, said the annual turnover rate is only 1.35 percent. She said new programs are trying to ensure employees have the leadership training necessary for the future. The Coast Guard also is increasing employee engagement as it prepares to move into its new headquarters at St. Elizabeth's, according to Vice Adm. Manson Brown, the deputy commandant for mission support.
Management successes paving the way for One-DHS
Rafael Borras, the Homeland Security Department's undersecretary for management, said in an exclusive interview with Federal News Radio, improvements to back-office functions show how interdependent the agency has become over the last few years. DHS is managing its acquisition, financial management and human capital processes through a holistic approach.
