DHS takes cross-sector view to infrastructure protection R&D

The National Plan for Research and Development in Support of Critical Infrastructure Protection establishes nine themes that aim to encompass physical and cyber security concerns and be integrated with other national-security strategies.

More products, services win Safety Act protections

Four more products and services have won liability protections from the Homeland Security Department through the Safety Act, bringing the total number of awards to 23.

Power grid makes moves to bolster cybersecurity

Cybersecurity standards expected to be adopted within weeks by the North American Electric Reliability Council are likely to become mandatory for power utilities.

NSF grants target cybersecurity research projects

The National Science Foundation awarded $36 million in grants for cybersecurity research projects to protect computer operations and critical infrastructure networks.

NIST launches technical review of iris scanning

Iris recognition is receiving its first major government technical review under an evaluation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Who can solve the CYBERPUZZLE?

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's announcement last month that he would create a new assistant secretary post for cybersecurity and telecommunications has been warmly welcomed by the IT community. But amidst the applause, questions arise.

Report: Mass transit needs more surveillance

Mass transit systems can better guard against terrorism by deploying more closed-circuit video and TV surveillance systems, according to a new report.

Northcom selects new interoperable technologies

The Pentagon's Northern Command is recommending technologies produced by Boeing and Communications-Applied Technology for additional testing and funding.

Homeland watch

For a view of homeland security policy ideas espoused by Stewart Baker, the Homeland Security Department's new policy czar, look no further than his testimony to the 9/11 Commission.

And then there were TEN

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's new requirement that first-time visitors to the United States provide 10 fingerprints -- rather than the two currently required -- is being applauded as a move toward more meticulous identification and better security.

Cybergroup urges better coordination of R&D funds

A cyberspace security group is urging the Bush administration and Congress to designate a single federal entity to coordinate cybersecurity R&D.

Former ISS executives plead guilty

The former CEO and a senior vice president of Information Systems Support Inc. pleaded guilty this week to conflict-of-interest charges related to Pentagon contracts in Korea.

Report: DHS reorganization might mean bucks for integrators

Specific areas in which greater IT integration opportunities may exist include explosives detection and baggage screening systems, as well as remote video surveillance equipment, according to a report by the Civitas Group.

Proposed amendment deemed harmful to small business

Industry group complains that prime contractors will be much less likely to use subs if a pricing amendment sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) is approved as part of the Defense authorization legislation.

Registered Traveler takes off from Florida

The nation's first privately sponsored Registered Traveler program sanctioned by the Homeland Security Department began operating this week at Orlando International Airport.

GAO: DHS can't track Buy American Act compliance

The Homeland Security Department does not have the ability to fully track how well it is complying with the Buy American Act, according to a new report from the acting inspector general.

DHS rolls out new security network

The Homeland Security Department is deploying a new "secret" data network to pass classified information to hundreds of state and local officials.

Research council urges better animal health monitoring

The United States needs a new, high-level agency to manage outbreaks of emerging animal diseases arising naturally or resulting from terrorism, according to a new report from a branch of the National Academies of Science.

Transit advocates push for video surveillance

Toronto's mass-transit system needs a networked, digitized video surveillance system that would guard against terrorism much better than the existing closed-circuit TV technology, according to the president of a public transportation advocacy group.

GAO gives NARA high marks for e-records project

The National Archives and Records Administration has successfully achieved all major targets thus far for its Electronic Records Archives project to manage petabytes of information.