Homeland Security likely to flunk security

For the third year in a row, the Homeland Security Department is expected to receive an "F" grade in protecting its computers and IT networks from security breaches.

Raytheon team signs into Secure Border registry

Raytheon Co. is teaming with IBM Corp., BAE Systems Inc. and Bechtel National Inc. to submit a proposal for Secure Border Initiative, the company announced in a filing with the Homeland Security Department.

FBI needs more help for Sentinel: Justice IG

The project manager for the FBI's upcoming Sentinel case management system needs to hire an additional 24 employees as soon as possible to handle the demands of the procurement, according to the Justice Department inspector general's office.

DHS' IG finds glitch in 'computer visa' program

The nation's L-1 visa program for temporary IT workers from foreign countries is vulnerable to fraud and potential abuse, according to a new report from Homeland Security Department inspector general Richard Skinner.

Jim Dempsey | Survival Guide: Perspectives from the field

Jim Dempsey, policy director for the Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington think tank, warns that we all could become victims of the explosion in video surveillance throughout major cities and transportation centers, of cell phone tracking, e-mail and keystroke logging systems and other technologies used for homeland security and other purposes.

Vacancies raise questions, lower morale at DHS

Vacancies and personnel turnover have reached such high levels at the Homeland Security Department that they may be hampering the agency's effectiveness, according to several industry and policy experts.

Group pushes IP enhancements for 911 system

The nation's 911 emergency call systems urgently need to be upgraded to handle new technologies, according to recommendations in a new report from the National Emergency Number Association.

SBI offers integration challenge

Greg Giddens has more than video cameras, sensors and computer systems on his mind as he sets up the Homeland Security Department's giant Secure Border Initiative surveillance system.

Immigration Services hammers out enterprise architecture

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has set up an enterprise architecture organization headed by a chief technology officer and eight technologists focused on data management and on data element and relationship modeling.

Feds extend RFID tests in travel documents

The Homeland Security Department expects to begin a second phase of tests this summer issuing travel documents containing radio frequency identification technology to foreign visitors at three selected land entry ports into the United States, officials said today.

Feds extend RFID tests in travel documents

The Homeland Security Department expects to begin a second phase of tests this summer issuing travel documents containing radio frequency identification technology to foreign visitors at three selected land entry ports into the United States, officials said today.

D.C. moves toward wireless first-responder system

Federal, state and local officials in the Washington metropolitan area are working on new regional IT initiatives for public safety.

DHS bulks up Secure Border Initiative procurement oversight

The Homeland Security Department is adding new contracting staff to prepare for the Secure Border Initiative program and expects to have nine people leading the procurement, said Greg Giddens, program executive director.

Democrats give DHS poor grades for performance

The Homeland Security Department earns D's for emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure protection, redress for errors on the terrorist watch list and overall procurement and contracting, according to Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee.

New Safecom requirements play up wireless

Wireless networks will take on a much more prominent role in the Homeland Security Department's updated requirements for interoperable communications for first responders.

Rep. Thompson: Top-level DHS execs too stretched

The Homeland Security Department's recent appointment of Jeff Runge as acting undersecretary of science and technology?in addition to his job as chief medical officer?raises concern on Capitol Hill that departmental staff may be spread too thin.

DHS, GSA tighten acquisition oversight for SBI

Four federal contracting employees have been demoted a pay grade and removed from direct involvement in acquisitions after being accused of mishandling procurements for the nation's $429 million border camera surveillance system.

Homeland Watch in brief

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has picked up several IT companies as clients since he opened his lobbying firm, the Ashcroft Group, last year.

Aerospace giants lead Secure Border teams

Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. each are putting together teams to compete for the Homeland Security Department's anticipated contract to set up an integrated network of sensors and cameras along the U.S. northern and southern borders.

Find the right box for your data

Years ago, the Pentagon turned over huge amounts of raw data on the Vietnam War to the National Archives and Records Administration to be stored in perpetuity. But that wasn't the end of it.