DHS awards contract to study integration of terrorist databases

The Homeland Security Department has awarded a $30 million contract to a trio of consulting firms to study development of an integrated terrorist screening system.

Automated fingerprint matching can be highly accurate

A study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology showed that computerized fingerprint matching outperforms facial-recognition systems.

DOD moves to improve software assurance

The Defense Department is planning acquisition policy changes to improve the quality and security of software it buys.

Cybercrime getting the attention of DHS

Cybercrime is emerging as the leading IT threat, public and private-sector security experts said.

Intelligence sharing is a daunting task, DHS finds

The Homeland Security Department faces the task of deploying the Homeland Security Data Network.

Net group wants input on vulnerability reporting guide

Consortium of software vendors, researchers and consultants hopes to address issues such as what role ? if any ? the government should play in vulnerability reporting.

Private sector responds slowly to DHS info sharing program

The Homeland Security Department office set up to shield information about private sector vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure has been underwhelmed since opening.

New chairman to be named to telecom advisory committee

F. Duane Ackerman, chairman and CEO of BellSouth Corp., expected to become chairman of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

Dispatchers urge passage of stalled E-911 bill

An organization representing the nation's public safety answering points wants the administration to support a bill that would help state and local governments upgrade their 911 services.

NIST offers guidelines for securing VOIP

Institute warns Voice over IP technology may introduce new security headaches for systems administrators.

WorldCom views large users, agencies as priority customers

Emerging today from bankruptcy, WorldCom Inc. sheds its old name to become MCI Inc. and notes large enterprise customers are crucial to its survival.

The more basic the better, security report recommends

A coalition of public- and private-sector organizations today called on hardware and software vendors to pay more attention to basic security in products for the public.<br>

Vendors donate Internet gear to troops in Iraq

The Army has accepted about $5 million worth of donated equipment and services to provide Internet links for ground troops in Iraq.

'Clock ticking' on interagency radio network

Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury expect to solicit proposals soon for the Integrated Wireless Network for federal law enforcement agencies.

Federal IT spending to hit plateau, Input says

Growth in federal IT spending is expected to level out over the next five years, a market research firm predicts.

Cybersecurity coalition offers IT security tools

A coalition of public- and private-sector organizations today released a set of guidelines to help nongovernmental organizations manage IT security issues.

Coalition has specs for secure data-sharing

A group of IT vendors, government agencies and academic institutions today released specifications for a system that could help federal, state and local governments share sensitive homeland security data.

New service aims to ease FISMA compliance

NetSec Inc. today announced a service to help agencies meet the requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act.

Network security doesn't stop at the perimeter

Exhibitors at the RSA Security Conference this week are focusing on what is inside the network, not just on what is outside trying to get in.

Pentagon scraps e-voting

The Pentagon has pulled the plug on an Internet voting program because of concerns about the system's security.