Jadacki: DHS needs uniform approach to acquisition

Although information technology-savvy acquisition personnel at DHS have developed customized applications to help them perform their jobs, their efforts have created disjointed levels of service, according to a deputy inspector general.

Cancelled hacking demo raises RFID red flag

An incident that may have exposed new security risks inherent in radio frequency identification technology has gained the attention of the Computer Emergency Response Team within DHS.

Committee: TWIC encryption ill-advised

DHS should reverse course and not encrypt the TWIC computer chip and reader, a federally chartered maritime advisory group has recommended.

SBI-Net contracting plan risky: GAO

Possible cost and schedule overruns, as well as performance problems, threaten the program, according to the Government Accountability Office.

DHS group to coordinate info-sharing

DHS will establish a new coordinating group this week to manage information-sharing with state, local and tribal fusion centers.

FCC public safety network plan found wanting

The FCC's proposal to create a nationwide broadband public safety network falls short, according to a national public safety organization.

Waxman: Online 'no-fly' list endangers privacy

TSA's recent attempt to fix problems with its "no-fly" list may have put at risk of theft personal information provided by travelers.

Mixed signals for RFID

Despite Chertoff's rejection, PASS card project moves ahead.

Waxman's accusation puts contractors on defensive

Congressman's calls for increased scrutiny also find eager ears.

Skinner: DHS needs to shield personal information

DHS is not doing enough to protect personal identifying information within its computer systems, according to a new report.

SAIC tapped for border security analysis

Science Applications International Corp. has won a contract to assist the Homeland Security Department with assessing risks and solutions for border security.

Mocny: U.S. Visit move will improve oversight

Management oversight over DHS' U.S. Visit program will be strengthened as it moves to a new directorate on March 31, said Bob Mocny, the program's acting director.

Control of $1B interoperability fund debated

DHS has no clear authority at this time over a $1 billion fund for public safety agency interoperable communications equipment that it has been publicizing as a first responder grant program.

U.S. Visit reporting falls short: GAO

The Homeland Security Department's U.S. Visit program is only half succeeding at justifying its expenditures to Congress, according to a new report.

ManTech wins $89M anti-terrorism deal

ManTech International Corp. won a seven-year, $89.9 million contract to support anti-terrorism missions at the Defense Department.

DHS tunes out RFID

The Homeland Security Department is abandoning the idea of using radio frequency identification tags to track foreign visitors leaving the country because the technology was not proven successful in testing.

FEMA to create advisory council

As part of its post-Hurricane Katrina overhaul, FEMA is setting up a new National Advisory Council to provide advice to it on all aspects of emergency preparedness and response.

Preparation is in, panic is out

Get ready: Angela Styles dishes up advice on handling scrutiny.

Ports of opportunity

Coast Guard vessel tracking project draws in major players.

Tug of war: Competing forces shape tech decisions

Selecting the "best" technology for a program would be tough enough in a static world, but DHS officials find themselves pushed and pulled by three major forces in the format fights.