Author Archive

John Stein Monroe

John Monroe is Senior Events Editor for the 1105 Public Sector Media Group, where he is responsible for overseeing the development of content for print and online content, as well as events. John has more than 20 years of experience covering the information technology field. Most recently he served as Editor-in-Chief of Federal Computer Week. Previously, he served as editor of three sister publications: civic.com, which covered the state and local government IT market, Government Health IT, and Defense Systems.
Cybersecurity

Report: WikiLeaks source exploited security flaw

A State Department program lacked a feature that might have alerted officials to the unauthorized download of diplomatic cables.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Fiscal year-end spending: Does 'use it or lose it' still rule?

Since 2001, the Office of Management has championed a number of ideas or programs intended to bring order to federal IT spending. But has it really made a difference?

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

5 reasons why some feds would rather not telework

Make no mistake: The vast majority of readers commenting on telework stories in recent weeks clearly favor having the option to work from home on a regular basis. But here is the minority report.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

TSA's No-fly system tripped up by human factors

The near get-away of Fasai Shahzad stemmed from a process requiring human intervention, according to several news reports.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Certifications: A false sense of security

FCW readers say a certification program is not the answer to the federal government's concerns about cybersecurity.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

VA scandal brings out the critics and cynics

Numerous readers have written to say that they are not surprised about recent allegations of misconduct at the Veterans Affairs Department.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Microsoft gets little sympathy from federal (non)fan base

A recent court ruling against Microsoft evokes mixed feelings from federal customers.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Infrastructure

Kundra seeks inventory of agencies' knowledge management apps

The Obama administration is partnering with the Knowledge Management Working Group to conduct a survey of the latest knowledgement management applications agencies are using.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Federal CIO Kundra envisions IT 'storefront' as replacement for GSA schedules

The federal CIO says federal government needs a procurement system that can keep pace with the rapid changes in technology.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Infrastructure

Spacebook: NASA's homegrown, secure social network app

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a social-networking application that provides all employees with the types of features found in Facebook, but in a secure environment.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Wireless mesh solution sought for mine safety

The federal government is seeking proposals for adapting wireless mesh communications to improve coal mine safety.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Featured eBooks
The State of Trust in Government
Cybersecurity in State and Local Government
Building Data Literacy in the State and Local Workforce
Digital Government

USDA seeks encryption software for mobile devices

The department could buy as many as 150,000 licenses through blanket purchase agreements with businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Air Combat Command to enforce password policy

The Air Force command plans to buy software that forces users to use passwords that are tough for hackers to crack.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

GSA seeks comments on governmentwide wireless buy

The procurement, part of the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative, will cover products, services and management support.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

Vendors tackle high-speed encryption

Thales and Alcatel say they have developed a way to encrypt data traveling over optical networks that use Dense Wave Division Multiplexing technology without a big drop in performance.

  • By John Stein Monroe
Digital Government

SSA asks for bids for voice-over-IP network

The agency plans to pick one contractor to build a single telephony system serving its 1,500 field offices.

  • By John Stein Monroe