Create Public Access to Government Data Safely: Free Paper

The revised Open Government Directive mandates an unprecedented level of accessibility to government information. But simply making public all the data that you work so hard to keep protected is not an easy task.

Read this free white paper and learn how to conquer the top five obstacles that developers in government agencies face. Read more about the new technologies, standards, and approaches that can help you deliver value to governments and the citizens they serve.

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first published week of:   05/17/2010

Dallas zoning information now available online
New interactive map feature makes land development process simpler and more

The City of Dallas’ Sustainable Development & Construction Department (formerly Development Services) has launched a new web feature to make doing business with the City of Dallas more convenient. The interactive zoning map provides up-to-date access to zoning within the entire Dallas city limits. Until now, zoning information was available online for Base Zoning and Specific Use Permits only and was updated only quarterly. In addition, it was only accessible via Microsoft Windows.

Now, those involved with or interested in the land development process have a much more comprehensive tool which provides improved service, better access, and more accurate and timely information. Find the interactive zoning map on the City’s website at gis.dallascityhall.com/zoningweb/

Details Here

first published week of:   02/15/2010

DC's snow response GIS mapping system gets a workout

A mapping tool that shows which streets in Washington have been plowed, salted or both is being heavily used today, according to several blogs, Twitter posts and Facebook updates.

The Snow Response Reporting System lets users type in an address and see which surrounding streets have been plowed or salted within a specified date range. The information is presented via a Google Maps interface.

For example, so far today at Columbia Road and 18th Street in Northwest Washington have been plowed and salted, while side streets such as Kalorama Road have not been touched, according to the map. Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra pushed for the development of geographic information systems such as the snow response system when he was the city’s chief technology officer, he told Federal Computer Week in past interviews.

Details Here

first published week of:   02/15/2010

defects in e-passports allow real-time tracking

Computer scientists in Britain have uncovered weaknesses in electronic passports issued by the US, UK, and some 50 other countries that allow attackers to trace the movements of individuals as they enter or exit buildings. The so-called traceability attack is the only exploit of an e-passport that allows attackers to remotely track a given credential in real time without first knowing the cryptographic keys that protect it, the scientists from University of Birmingham said. What’s more, RFID, or radio-frequency identification, data in the passports cannot be turned off, making the threat persistent unless the holder shields the government-mandated identity document in a special pouch. “A traceability attack does not lead to the compromise of all data on the tag, but it does pose a very real threat to the privacy of anyone that carries such a device,” the authors wrote. “Assuming that the target carried their passport on them, an attacker could place a device in a doorway that would detect when the target entered or left a building.” To exploit the weakness, attackers would need to observe the targeted passport as it interacted with an authorized RFID reader at a border crossing or other official location. They could then build a special device that detects the credential each time it comes into range. The scientists estimated the device could have a reach of about 20 inches. “This would make it easy to eavesdrop on the required message from someone as they used their passport at, for instance, a customs post,” the authors wrote.

Details Here

first published week of:   02/01/2010

DHS puts finishing touches on $22B opportunity
RFP for EAGLE II expected to be issued by end of September

For months, contractors large and small have fixated on the Homeland Security Department’s plans for a new departmentwide contracting vehicle for information technology services, named the Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading Edge Solutions II.

Now, after a lengthy drafting period, DHS is putting the final touches on an upcoming request for proposals for the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. Companies are contemplating how to best position themselves to be part of the action that’s projected to be worth as much as $22 billion.

Details Here

first published week of:   07/12/2010

Director of National Intelligence wants better integration of intelligence

The country’s top intelligence official today said more integration of intelligence agencies’ collection and analysis capabilities, in part through enhanced information technology, is a key goal for those agencies.

Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said increased integration driven by improved information sharing between agencies was an achievable goal for the next five years. Blair also said establishing a cadre of leaders in intelligence agencies that instinctively work together, is doable.

Details Here

first published week of:   04/19/2010

Volume 31

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