WebWire
Security guru Clarke set to leave
Richard Clarke, who has led the federal government's efforts to protect the nation's critical systems during the past four years, confirmed Jan. 30 that he is stepping down.
Treasury taps critical infrastructure chief
The Treasury Department Feb. 4 named Michael Dawson as the head of the department's new Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Navy Knowledge Online sets sail
The Navy Knowledge Online portal is available to all active-duty, reserve and retired sailors, and Marines.
GAO flags smart card challenges
Although 18 agencies have launched smart card projects, the technology remains difficult to implement and is gaining traction slowly, according to the General Accounting Office.
RFI requests security info sharing
The Federal Computer Incident Response Center wants industry leaders to help in an effort to develop standards for exchanging security incident information.
Ridge reorganizes homeland agencies
Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge announced Jan. 30 a
major reorganization of agencies within the new department, in a move to tighten control over U.S. ports and land borders.
GSA awards Connections contract
The General Services Administration awarded 17 contracts under the Connections program, which is an effort to replace expiring regional equipment and services contracts.
TSA to award system to check travelers
The Transportation Security Administration plans to award a contract this month to a systems integrator for a tool that will perform background checks and risk assessments on airline travelers.
Ortego to start consulting firm
John Ortego, former director of the Agriculture Department's National Finance Center in New Orleans, left the federal government Jan. 31.
Commerce sets infosec policy
The Commerce Department's chief information officer issued the first departmentwide information technology security policy that sets comprehensive ground rules for protecting and accessing the
department's systems.
NIMA teams support homeland missions
The National Imagery and Mapping Agency will help ensure that agencies with homeland missions share a common operational picture and geospatial intelligence.
Military forces make transformation strides
The Air Force and Marine Corps are working to transform and modernize their logistics business processes and information technology systems.
Grid computing at work against smallpox
Industry and academia leaders are teaming to provide the Defense Department with data for possible smallpox drugs.
OPM to absorb background checks
The agency that conducts background investigations for the Defense Department will be transferred to the Office of Personnel Management in an effort to consolidate the clearance process.