Capital roundup
Defense strategy stirs questions
Looking beyond borders
It is one of the Homeland Security Department's most tantalizing, big-ticket, system integration projects on the horizon ? but it's been stalled for months as Congress and federal officials review the goals of the department and examine allegations of mismanagement in a related legacy system.
London bombings sound security alarm
The massive terrorist bombing July 7 in London is spurring efforts to install networked video-surveillance systems and other advanced technology in commuter rail systems in the United States to deter similar attacks here.
Senate amendments to increase rail security fail to pass
The Senate yesterday failed to pass amendments that would have added additional federal funding for rail and mass transit security.
Democrats allege DHS overhaul plan is flawed
Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee say Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's reorganization plan fails to overcome the department's existing ad-hoc approach to security.
Chertoff unveils DHS overhaul
Fingerprint scans for all 10 fingers for new visitors, an assistant secretary post for cybersecurity and reorganization moves are all part of DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff's plan for revamping the department.
Bush: Senate DHS bill too restrictive
The White House is objecting to language in the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations bill that eliminates funding for the use of commercial databases in the department's Secure Flight passenger screening program at airports.
DHS gets low marks for security
The Homeland Security Department is showing major weaknesses in ensuring information security for its computer systems, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
Germany to deploy biometric ID systems
The German Parliament has approved an electronic passport plan to begin Nov. 1, with Lufthansa Airlines and Siemens AG initiating a test in which passengers' thumbprints will be used to verify identity before boarding a plane.
Report: Cybersecurity leads homeland security spending growth
Cybersecurity spending is the fastest-growing category of homeland security spending for 2005 through 2010, according to a new Frost & Sullivan report.
Rentable crime networks latest cybersecurity threat
Criminal bot networks are the latest cybersecurity threat to government, corporate and home computers, according to a new report on cybersecurity.
EU to spend far less for infrastructure protection
A top European Union official is proposing a $165 million (?140 million) critical infrastructure protection budget for Europe for 2007 through 2013 ? a sum that is only a fraction of what the U.S. plans to spend.
DOD releases first homeland defense strategy
New technologies in the areas of advanced information and communication, sensors and non-lethal weapons are needed.
The really big picture
The hulking size of the multiple-petabyte Electronic Records Archive, when it becomes operational in 2007, does not seem to faze Project Director Kenneth Thibodeau.
Long live e-records!
A project to manage the miles of files at the National Archives will set the standard for all agencies
Sabo blasts technology, legal protections for CAPPS II
Data-mining technology used in the Computer Aided Passenger Prescreening System II program should have been more closely scrutinized to ensure it protected privacy before it was granted full protection from legal liability, according to Rep. Martin Olav Sabo.
MZM loses contract amid investigations
The Pentagon has stopped work under a $250 million blanket purchase agreement with Washington contractor MZM Inc. amid news that the company's founder is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Southern California.
British lawmakers debate biometric ID card proposal
British lawmakers are debating Prime Minister Tony Blair's controversial plan to implement an ambitious biometric national identification card system.
U.S., Canada, Mexico advance homeland security initiative
The countries hope establish common North American programs for screening travelers and strengthening Internet commerce and privacy protections.
California moves to limit RFID restrictions
The California Assembly next week will begin considering a partial ban on radio frequency identification that would allow its use for certain types of identification cards.
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