By Cameron | Published: July 29, 2006
July has seen a lot of attention focused on e-voting issues. First, the Brennan Center releases a major report on threats to e-voting systems. Then Congress holds a much-needed hearing on e-voting (USACM offered testimony). And this week the National Academies released an interesting new report discussing emerging problems with e-voting systems and making recommendations [...]
By Cameron | Published: July 27, 2006
Voice of America ran an article today looking at issues of education and globalization and impacts on the U.S. computer science pipeline. The article starts by pointing out America’s poor showing in ACM’s international programing contest: “From 1977 until 1989, the winner was always a U.S. college team. And American students were among the top [...]
Two items showing the ongoing struggle to maintain the security of personal information. Government Computer News reported in their July 24 issue that the Office of Management and Budget has tightened requirements for federal agencies to report data breaches. Responding to recently reported data breaches, the OMB guidance reinforces much of current federal law in [...]
By Cameron | Published: July 25, 2006
Today the House Science Committee held a hearing exploring Congress’ need for scientific and technical advice. (Witness lists and hearing webcast can be found here.) Eleven years ago, Congress closed the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA). This office was created in 1972 to aid Congress “in the identification and consideration of existing and probable impacts [...]
This is the last week before Congress takes their August recess. They will reconvene in September. July 28 Hearing: The Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security of the Senate Homeland Security Committee is holding a hearing on Cyber Security: Recovery and Reconstitution of Critical Networks. 9:30 a.m., 342 Dirksen Building More [...]
The House Veterans Affairs Committee, responding to the May 2006 theft of a laptop containing information on over 26 million veterans and active duty personnel, has approved legislation improving and reorganizing cybersecurity activities in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This follows a series of hearings the committee has held over the last 2 months – [...]
By Cameron | Published: July 20, 2006
Facing a steady stream of reports about e-voting machine failures and security vulnerabilities, yesterday Congress tackled the question of whether new federal standards will improve this technology. The short answer from the witness and the Members of Congress seemed to be that the standards, while a good first step, were far short of what we [...]
A busy week for tech related issues. July 17 Event: The Center for American Progress is hosting The Great Debate: What is Net Neutrality? with Vint Cerf and Dave Farber. 10:30 a.m., Center for American Progress, 1333 H. Street N.W., 10th Floor, Washington, D.C. July 18 Hearing: Veterans’ Affairs cybersecurity legislation House Veterans’ Affairs Committee [...]
By Cameron | Published: July 13, 2006
CNET news has an interview with ACM’s new President, Stuart Feldman on topics ranging from IT education and jobs to the globalization of the IT software industry. He specifically mentions ACM’s recent globalization report and that it shows there is strong demand in the IT industry for skilled employees. Here is an excerpt from the [...]
In late June the Brennan Center for Justice, located at the NYU School of Law, released a report on voting system security. The report, The Machinery of Democracy: Protecting Elections in an Electronic World, was compiled over the course of a year by a task force of government, academic and private sector experts and is [...]
Coming back from last week’s recess, the appropriations bills will be a major focus of Congress as they work toward the August recess. July 11 Markup: Senate Appropriations Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee will markup its FY 2007 spending bill. 2:30 p.m., 138 Dirksen Building July 13 Markup: Senate Appropriations Committee will markup the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill. 2 [...]
CONTENTS [1] Newsletter Highlights [2] USACM Releases Privacy Policy Recommendations [3] David Bruggeman Joins ACM’s Policy Office [4] Computing Community Praises Proposed Increases in Science Funding [5] USACM’s Chair Testifies before House Veteran’s Affairs Committee [6] Congress Focuses on Legislating Digital Rights Management [7] Snowbird Conference: The Image of Computing [8] About USACM
