Set up a Firing Squad

Bob Gibson posted an article in the April 16, 2012 edition of FedSmith saying that the best way for employers to prevail if challenged by an MSPB Hearing is to set up Firing Squads. Believe it or not, this is pretty good advice, folks. I’ve seen it in action and it works, provided the organizationRead… Read more »

Discovery Space Shuttle: Northern Virginia the Final Frontier

On an ordinary work day, at Deltek’s Herndon, Va., headquarters, you’d find hundreds of analysts researching the government contracting market, peering into computer monitors. But not today. Today we flooded the parking lot and flocked to the windows. Work stopped twice this morning as a huge piece of government contracting history passed right outside ourRead… Read more »

Teleworking Isn’t As Easy As It Seems (How in the world do you work from anywhere?)

After a decade of working for other people, I’ve started my own business. I’m pretty excited. I’m using my skills, knowledge, abilities, and connections, and I have no one to answer to but myself. If I succeed, it’s because I worked hard. If I fail, it’s because I didn’t get the formula right. The bestRead… Read more »

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 »