Government News

Web 2.0 Expo: Noveck Cites Open Gov Challenges

J. Nicholas Hoover — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

The deputy CTO for open government sees progress, but acknowledges push back and resource constraints on the path to transparency..

Air Force To Expand PlayStation-Based Supercomputer

J. Nicholas Hoover — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:49:00 EST

The cluster of PlayStation 3 consoles is already being used for research into high-def video processing and systems with brain-like properties.

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China Cyber Espionage Threatens U.S., Report Says

Thomas Claburn — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:39:00 EST

A Congressional advisory report warns that cyber attacks against defense computers are on the rise.

Obama Team Challenges Web Developers

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:00 EST

Having rebuilt Whitehouse.gov on the open source Drupal platform, President Obama's new media team is calling on the open source community for new ideas and technology.n.

FCC Speeds Cell Tower Reviews

Marin Perez — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:59:00 EST

The "shot clock" rule will set a limit on how long local governments can review applications for new cellular towers.

Web 2.0 Expo: Startup Aims At Public Policy Crowdsourcing

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:39:00 EST

Expert Labs, a non-profit startup, will use social media tools to bring private sector expertise to the U.S. government's decision-making processes.

Interop: New York Tests Xbox-Based Alert System

Paul McDougall — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:26:00 EST

State officials eye video game networks as a means to send emergency warnings to younger residents.

FAA Resolves Flight Plan System Failure

Thomas Claburn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Air traffic controllers had to enter flight plan information manually Thursday morning, delaying some East Coast flights.

Obama Administration Defends Its Data Quality

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Inaccuracies in stimulus-tracking data on Recovery.gov do exist, but overall the transparency effort has been a success, says a special advisor to the President.

Lawmakers Slam Deceptive Web Marketers

Thomas Claburn — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Post-transaction marketing abuses bring calls for stronger oversight.

In-Q-Tel Invests In Cybersecurity Company

J. Nicholas Hoover — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:25:00 EST

The venture arm of the U.S. intelligence community, In-Q-Tel, has invested an unknown sum in FireEye, which sells a cybersecurity appliance.

Bill Would Ban P2P Use By Federal Employees

J. Nicholas Hoover — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:17:00 EST

Proposed legislation would prohibit use of P2P software like BitTorrent or Limewire on government computers and set policies for employees and contractors.

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Healthcare Affiliates Unprepared For Data Breaches

Mitch Wagner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:13:00 EST

Patient privacy is at risk from the companies that healthcare providers do business with, study says.

Cyber Warfare Warning Sounded

Thomas Claburn — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST

In its annual report on cybercrime, McAfee says that the age of cyber warfare has arrived.

CTIA Seeks More Mobile Broadband Spectrum

Marin Perez — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:33:00 EST

The mobile industry group said spectrum below 3 GHz should be reallocated for mobile data purposes.

National Cyber Incident Response Plan Coming

J. Nicholas Hoover — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:00 EST

FBI, Homeland Security, and Justice Department officials drop hints of future cybersecurity policy and projects at a Senate hearing.

Information Exchanges Let Doctors Share Patient Data Efficiently

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Several new networks are being launched across the country, and while they vary in size, scope, and clientele, the goals and challenges are similar.

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Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Texas' Data Center Consolidation Project Under Scrutiny

J. Nicholas Hoover — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:55:00 EST

A commissioned report finds a range of problems with a seven-year, $863 million outsourcing contract with IBM.

Obama, In China, Promotes An Open Internet

J. Nicholas Hoover — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:56:00 EST

In a townhall meeting in Shanghai, the President acknowledges the challenges posed by unrestricted Internet access, but says the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Data Breach Investigated

Mitch Wagner — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:56:00 EST

Connecticut's attorney general is looking for tougher protection for healthcare providers after records, which could be useful to identity thieves, were lost.

Senate Bill Would Help Family Doctors Fund EHRs

Mitch Wagner — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:52:00 EST

The bill, introduced by Sen. John Kerry, would make small healthcare practices eligible for federal loans.

BlackRock Uses Analytics To Unwind Financial Failures

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Money manager helps feds value Bear Sterns holdings and more.

RFID Makes Slow And Steady Progress

Mary Hayes Weier — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

RFID isn't changing the world, but it's being used strategically in government and business to track animals, stock products, and tag documents.

Smart Grid's $8 Billion Down Payment

Andrew Conry-Murray — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

The federal government is partnering with private industry to modernize the electrical grid.

Data-Driven Crime Fighting

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Law enforcement agencies adopt new tools in an effort to be more proactive in getting resources where they're most needed.

Programmers Charged In Madoff Scheme

Antone Gonsalves — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:38:00 EST

Two men were arrested for developing and maintaining computer programs that helped convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff cover up his operation.

Military Readies IT Acquisition Reforms

J. Nicholas Hoover — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:10:00 EST

Deputy Defense secretary William Lynn says procurement reforms should be ready by the spring.

Tech Giants Aim To Master Disaster

Paul McDougall — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST

Microsoft, Google, Yahoo form alliance to develop software solutions for improving emergency response efforts.

Government Use Of Windows 7 Hinges On Security Spec

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:09:00 EST

The Federal Desktop Core Configuration, which defines 300 PC settings for improved security, has yet to be finalized for Windows 7.

Avaya-Nortel Acquisition Gets OK

W. David Gardner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies have signed off on the $900 million acquisition of Nortel's enterprise solutions unit.

Government IT Confronts Security Threats Daily

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:27:00 EST

External attacks, malware, lost devices, and internal threats pose ongoing security challenges for many federal agencies, according to a new report.

Google Search Visualizes Global Data

Thomas Claburn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:01:00 EST

Data made available by the World Bank is now being used to provide visual support for certain statistical queries.

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FBI's New Case Management System Delayed

J. Nicholas Hoover — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST

Completion of the $451 million Sentinel system, to be used for searching and analyzing criminal and national security data, has been pushed back to September.

Lawmaker Eyes Verizon Termination Fees

Marin Perez — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:49:00 EST

A U.S. senator plans to introduce legislation that will stop carriers from raising cancellation fees.

NASA Space Technologies Go Mainstream

John Foley — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:07:00 EST

In its annual report, the space agency identifies 49 technologies that are being repurposed in the private sector, including scheduling software for hospitals and a tuning circuit for 3G networks.

Northrop Wins Pair Of Outsourcing Deals

Paul McDougall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:55:00 EST

Tech services vendor inks agreements with Department of Homeland Security and PSC, LLC.

Mathias On Mobility: Net Neutrality's For Wireless Too

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST

Our columnist argues that network neutrality, in the form of requiring open access, must apply to wireless carriers.

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Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST

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Department Of Interior Fails Cybersecurity Audit

J. Nicholas Hoover — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:50:00 EST

An inspector general assessment of the agency's IT security performance finds poor governance, unqualified staff, and defense technologies that were paid for but not implemented.

IBM Pushes Business Analytics To Feds

Paul McDougall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:36:00 EST

Big Blue's newest research center focused on tools to improve decision making in D.C.

Justice Dept. Supports Oracle In EU Dispute

W. David Gardner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:49:00 EST

The U.S. agency's antitrust division said Oracle's purchase of Sun wouldn't harm competition in the database market.

Healthcare Providers Face Security Challenges

Mitch Wagner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:35:00 EST

Three-quarters of organizations that conduct formal risk assessments have found patient data at risk, study says.

Healthcare IT Career Tips

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:49:00 EST

IT pros without clinical experience shouldn't rule out possible transitions into emerging healthcare IT jobs.

Agency For International Development Outsources To CSC

J. Nicholas Hoover — Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:26:00 EST

CSC will provide a range of IT services to the government agency, including support for its network and voice systems, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and desktops.

Securing The Cyber Supply Chain

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Many parties touch your organization's systems and software, potentially exposing them to malware, breaches, or worse. A new end-to-end approach is required to minimize the risks.Many parties touch your organization's systems and software, potentially exposing them to malware and breaches. An end-to-end approach is needed to minimize the risks.

Craigslist Founder To Advise Veteran Affairs

J. Nicholas Hoover — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:07:00 EST

The Department of Veterans Affairs has invited Craig Newmark to join a panel to review suggestions for fixing its claims processing.

Obama's Open Government Directive Nears Release

J. Nicholas Hoover — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:33:00 EST

The directive, which is behind schedule, will require federal agencies to develop and outline specific actions they will take to be more open to the public.

eReferral System Boosts Medical Center Bookings

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST

A portal-based referral system from Carefx and a clinical information exchange from GE Healthcare increase appointments and reduce patient no-shows.

IBM CEO Sam Palmisano Talks With Global CIO

Bob Evans — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST

Column about IBM CEO Sam Palmisano's vision for the company around Smarter Planet, business analytics, and cloud computing.

Government Technologist: Vivek Kundra's Data Center Problem

John Foley — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:33:00 EST

The number of data centers belonging to the U.S. government has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Can Federal CIO Vivek Kundra put a stop to the trend?

Intel Hit With Antitrust Suit In NY

Antone Gonsalves — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:12:00 EST

The New York attorney general claims the chipmaker used bribery and coercion to prevent computer makers from using rival products.