Air Force Mobile, CISPA Protests, and More

Here is today’s federal IT and cybersecurity news: With a second attempt at procuring 2,725 iPads, the Air Force continues to move towards mobile and thin clients. More here. Howard Shmidt said that industry would not be heavily burdened by a bill to phase in security standards for privately held critical infrastructure, and that theRead… Read more »

The Battle

When there is small hope, when all seems stacked against you, that is the time unknown and unexpected reserves will appear. They may be your family, your allies, your friends. They may come from a breath of wind in the spring. Folks in far places may surprise you. You are not alone. We are withRead… Read more »

Collaborating in a Hierarchical World

What are the key issues facing collaboration-minded managers in government? Two thoughtful academics identify what they think are the Top Ten and offer some advice on areas for future research. Drs. Rosemary O’Leary and Nidhi Vij presented a paper at the recent annual conference of the American Society for Public Administration, “Collaborative Public Management: WhereRead… Read more »

Bug Bounty Programs : Encourage Responsible Disclosure

Bug Bounty Programs Encourage Responsible Disclosure From Hackers The idea that you might pay someone else to keep quiet a vulnerability while you fix it may seem a bit backward to some in computer security. It would also seem to invite attacks on infrastructure. It’s no surprise, then, that many companies with technological products don’tRead… Read more »

Data Transparency Coalition launches with fourteen members and one mission

[Editor’s note: This update is cross-posted on the Data Transparency Coalition’s blog.] Yesterday, thirteen tech companies and one nonprofit organization launched the Data Transparency Coalition.Our ambition is to be the main private-sector voice for federal data reform. We want the government to publish its information online and use consistent data identifiers and markup languages toRead… Read more »

Transitioning Military Job Seeker Uses Social Networks, Business Cards and QR Codes

We caught up with Captain Eric Jacksonat the recent Cleared Job Fair in Springfield, VA. Eric is an Information Systems Manager for the Army and he’s seeking a position in the network defense and security area in the Northern VA to DC part of the metro area. Eric met with SAIC, ManTech, URS, HP andRead… Read more »

Lonely Planet: NASA Needs Your Best Ideas About Exploring Mars

Mark Drapeau (Washington, DC) — Due to severe budget cutbacks, NASA’s Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. has instructed a number of his senior administrators to “lead a reformulation of the Mars Exploration Program” in order to continue space exploration on a budget. To do that, NASA is sponsoring a June, 2012 workshop in Houston toRead… Read more »

Recruiting for Culture

Recruiting has been interesting for Human Resources professionals over the past two to three years. It has definitely been an employer’s market. So many organizations have downsized, leaving a significant number of quality candidates in the job market. This economy has been tough, but I am a believer that it is turning around. With thatRead… Read more »

Just Say No to Pinkerton Detectives

If there’s one thing I love, it’s forgotten, obscure laws, regulations and policies. They’re even better when they’re in my line of work. So here’s one for you — FAR 37.109, i.e. just say no to Pinkerton Detectives. 37.109 — Services of Quasi-Military Armed Forces. Contracts with “Pinkerton Detective Agencies or similar organizations” are prohibitedRead… Read more »