Caron Carlson

A one-time avalanche of unwanted ads pouring from fax machines subsided in recent years, thanks to a 1991 law that bans them and to several lawsuits that sent junk-fax senders packing. The flow could further dwindle in July, once a federal rule goes into effect requiring written consent before faxing an unsolicited ad. Federal lawmakers, […]

The effort to install a cyber-security czar in Washington gained momentum last week when a bill that would create a new assistant secretary position at the Department of Homeland Security won the approval of a House subcommittee. The industry, particularly the security software sector, has long pressed for the appointment of a top-level government official […]

The regional bell operating companies won a major ally in their effort to clear out regulations governing the telephone industry. With the U.S. Chamber of Commerce heading a coalition calling for regulatory reform, the RBOCs have increased their leverage in a policy debate that could have dramatic implications for the future competitive landscape. The coalition […]

The fledgling Chief Information Security Officer Exchange—a public-private partnership aimed at improving government IT security—was shut down last week over concerns that its dues and meeting structure created the perception that select companies could buy access to federal officials. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., and the federal CIO Council, which co-chaired the initiative, withdrew their support. […]

No technology accepted by the scientific community today can accurately forecast underwater earthquakes and the ensuing disasters they can cause. However, supercomputing and storage systems are being put to use to assist in the repair of damage done by the recent catastrophic tsunami in Asia, by processing air- and sea-condition models. The Fleet Numerical Meteorology […]

Despite a continued focus on security in the nations capital, one security commodity that many government IT professionals seek above all—more information from the private sector on outages and attacks—is still scarce. Ever since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the government has urged private enterprises to pass along data on network attacks and […]

Congress is taking a second look at the FBIs power to seize confidential customer records from businesses without showing probable cause in a state or federal court. The controversial tactic has been the target of intense criticism since the passage of the USA Patriot Act in 2001, and even the U.S. Department of Justice concedes […]

WASHINGTON—As homeland security and ongoing military operations across the globe continue to preoccupy much of the nations capital, federal IT contractors are emphasizing security at all levels of the network. However, one security commodity that many government IT professionals seek above all—more information from the private sector on outages and attacks—is not forthcoming. Ever since […]

WASHINGTON—In the countrys capital for the annual federal government IT conference and exhibition, Intel Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Paul Otellini echoed a sentiment heard with increasing frequency here: The U.S. government must play a greater role in ensuring that the United States maintains it technology edge. Otellini, who will become CEO of Intel […]

/zimages/2/101972.jpg Avaya Inc., the Basking Ridge, N.J., maker of IP telephony technology, is moving aggressively on multiple fronts to maintain its narrow market edge. Avaya is promoting mobility applications, speech recognition software, unified communications and its new Global Services offerings. CEO Don Peterson sat down last week with Senior Editor Caron Carlson to discuss these […]