Defense

Defense urged to take steps to prevent systems tampering

GAO recommends Pentagon issue instructions to Defense agencies on protecting critical technologies.

Defense

ACLU wants changed focus in pandemic containment planning

Government efforts too focused on treating health emergencies as a law enforcement or national security problem, organization says.

Defense

Government urged to standardize data encryption standards

GAO repeatedly has criticized federal entities for not following their own rules that require sensitive data to be encrypted.

Defense

Lawmaker predicts U.S.-China space race

Report details mutual mistrust, partly because of a surprise anti-satellite weapons test that China conducted last January.

Oversight

Administration faces big challenge in records preservation

As deadline looms, White House and National Archives gauge progress.

Oversight

IRS incorrectly claimed security issues had been corrected

GAO finds several information security weaknesses reported as mitigated actually weren’t.

Defense

Private military industry continues to grow

The Army takes on nation-building as a core mission, but can't hope to get it done without the help of a range of private sector supporters.

Oversight

New rules curb but don't end R&D earmarks

Numbers show $939 million in research and development earmarks in the fiscal 2008 omnibus budget bill, which did not include defense spending.

Oversight

Panel to probe FCC chairman's leadership

Bipartisan investigation will seek to determine if Kevin Martin bypassed procedures designed to ensure transparency in the agency's regulatory process.

Oversight

Legal experts, labor leaders decry e-mail ruling

National Labor Relations Board lets employers block employees from using company e-mail for "non-job-related solicitations."

Tech

GSA awards software development pact

Contract for Public Buildings Service relies on innovative approach to reusing software programs.

Oversight

Census program to use handheld computers said to be in ‘serious trouble’

Analysis recommends agency develop contingency plan to use paper forms.

Defense

Transportation issues rules on lithium batteries

New regulations require that spare batteries used in a range of electronic devices be packed in carry-on luggage.

Tech

GSA awards governmentwide contracts for human resources technology

Agencies will compete with private companies for federal business.

Defense

Spending bill puts restrictions on FBI case management project

Funding partially withheld until agency reports on independent reviews of Sentinel program.

Oversight

Federal tech spending gets more scrutiny

Omnibus spending bill would impose new reporting requirements on "centers of excellence" -- operations within one agency that handle back-office functions for several agencies.

Defense

Funding is reserved for UAVs to monitor borders

Vehicles would be purchased with $82 million included in $2.7 billion budget for border security.

Tech

DHS readies contract to outsource data center services

Utility-based model designed to shift risk from government to industry.

Oversight

Bill to overhaul Freedom of Information Act goes to Bush

Provision prohibits agencies from collecting search fees if they fail to respond to a request in 20 days.

Defense

Land-based backup to GPS wins reprieve in spending bill

Coast Guard had proposed to terminate system; legislation says that would be premature.