Author Archive

Ben Bain

Ben Bain is a reporter for Federal Computer Week.
Defense Systems

Five years after Katrina, government IT still feels storm's fury

Five years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, the region continues to rebuild and the federal government is still trying to fix information technology-related problems that the storm and its aftermath exposed.

Defense Systems

Senate confirms Clapper as intell chief

The Senate has voted to confirm retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper as the country's fourth director of national intelligence.

Defense Systems

Don't expect a miracle from cybersecurity strategy, DHS says

An official with the Homeland Security Department's National Protection and Programs Directorate says the government doesn't need a new cybersecurity strategy.

Defense Systems

Military wrestles with cyber war battle planning

The military's new consolidated Cyber Command faces unprecedented challenges as it forges the nation's policies and capabilities for cyber defense and war.

Defense Systems

Alexander stresses need for network situational awareness

New Defense Department cyber commander says common operating picture across DOD networks is essential.

Defense Systems

Wanted: A better system for intelligence collection

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity's Smart Collection office wants to fund research into ways to make collected intelligence more valuable.

Defense Systems

NARA's chief information officer to retire

As CIO, Martha Morphy oversees deployment of the initial parts of NARA's $550 million Electronic Records Archives system. Her retirement is effective July 2.

Defense Systems

New DOD cyber commander seeks better situational awareness

Army Gen. Keith Alexander says the Defense Department needs a common, real-time, understanding of what's happening across its many computer networks.

Defense Systems

Maryland governor earns IT award

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers awards Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley with the association's 2010 National Technology Champion Award.

Defense Systems

Pick to lead cyber command lays out battle plans

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander says that militarizing cyberspace is not part of his agenda, and reveals what is at the top of the list.

Defense Systems

U.S. would lose a cyber war, former intell chief warns

The country needs to make a national commitment to securing cyberspace before a catastropic attack occurs.

Defense Systems

Navy looks to advance cyber defense

The Navy wants algorithms that can be used for malware detection and to distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic.

Defense Systems

Cyberattack simulation highlights vulnerabilities

A simulation exercise today showed the legal and technical problems a cyberattack could cause.

Defense Systems

Hathaway gets award from trade group for cybersecurity review

The Internet Security Alliance today gave Melissa Hathaway its annual McCurdy Award for her work on the Obama administration's review of cyberspace policy.

Defense Systems

Obama wants nearly $80B for IT projects

The administration has proposed only a small increase for IT spending in fiscal 2011.

Defense Systems

DARPA: Calling all cyber geneticists

A DARPA research program would combine technologies to apply genetics, anthropology, sociology and physiology to the identification of cyberattackers.

Defense Systems

DARPA eyes digital fingerprints to track computer attacks

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is holding a conference for those interested in helping with a project to use digital DNA to bolster cyber defense.

Defense Systems

DARPA seeks to accelerate development processes

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants research that will improve the design and manufacturing process for complex aerospace and defense systems.

Defense Systems

Obama picks cybersecurity coordinator

Howard Schmidt is President Barack Obama’s choice for cybersecurity chief, the administration announced today.

Defense Systems

Laptop with personal data about thousands stolen from Army employee

A government laptop containing names and personally identifiable information of more than 42,000 patrons of childcare and recreational facilities at Fort Belvoir in Virginia since 2005 was stolen on Nov. 28.