homeland security

What to do about e-waste

Judi Hasson — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:42:40 -0400

When your computer gets old and you get a new one, chances are you probably never think about where the old one gets dumped. But the issue of old computers and what to do about them is rapidly becoming an environmental debate. Until now, many old systems were just sent to other countries as waste if they could not be recycled. Now Congress is looking to limit exporting old computers overseas.

The problem is growing bigger, according to John Stephenson, a GAO official who testified September 17 before Congress on the issue. He said the EPA's e-waste regulations cover only old cathode ray tube televisions and monitors. And EPA rules on discarding old computers are poorly enforced. There are rules in 17 states banning the use of landfills for computers that contain hazardous material.

"The U.S. fails to hold manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products that contain toxic materials," said Rep. Diane Watson, D-CA. There is no easy answer, according to Stephenson. "No one knows what to do with these," he said. "I have three used computers in my basement and now I'm afraid to give them to a recycler."

As the tech executive at your company, are you perplexed, too? Do you have a dozen old computers in your storeroom with nowhere to go? Send us your ideas for how to effectively recycle or throw them away without making toxic waste even a bigger hazard.

For more on the problems of discarding old computers:
- see this cnet.com article

Government, private IT address cyber threats

Judi Hasson — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:11:28 -0400

The Homeland Security Department has revealed that its National Cyber Security Initiative will include enhancing the current cyber intrusion detection system, working more closely with the private sector and focusing on foreign threats. "Cybersecurity really is one of the top priorities of the Department of Homeland Security and the federal government," said Paul Schneider, deputy secretary for DHS. He made his comments at a forum hosted by the Information Technology Association of America.

Schneider said a key to the effort will be deployment of "a much more aggressive system that will allow us to look for patterns of malicious code--to shut them down before they do real harm."

He added that the plan will include a specific focus on cyberthreats from foreign governments. Robert Jamison, DHS undersecretary for national protection and programs, said the department is currently working closely with three different vendors to test its system in different environments, but declined to name the contractors.

For more on cyber threats:
- see this cnet.com news article

DHS finds a way around H-1B visas

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:59:59 -0400

The Department of Homeland Security has extended the period for Optional Practical Training from 12 to 29 months. OPT certification allows foreign students to work in the United States without an H-1B visa for a limited amount of time. This will allow non-immigrant students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to work in the United States. That's good news for CIO and IT executives who are finding it tough to find qualified IT staffers in the current pool of workers. "This rule will enable businesses to attract and retain highly skilled foreign workers, giving U.S. companies a competitive advantage in the world economy," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "By extending the training period by an additional 17 months… we are further ensuring a legal workforce in the U.S. and aiding good corporate citizens."

For more on foreign visas:
- See this DHS press release

CTOs seek help from Congress

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

A gathering of chief technology officers in Washington, D.C., recently led to a unified front in seeking help from Congress. The request was for improved technology policies and the full funding of critical IT initiatives to the tune of $3.26 billion. "In light of rising global economic competition and mixed signals in the domestic economy, we urge you to support several pending measures to strengthen America's high-tech industry," CTOs from the Business Software Alliance wrote in a March 4 letter to Senate leaders in both parties. The CTOs want funding programs for the Patent and Trademark Office and the Homeland Security Department's National Cyber Security Division. They also want a few other things too: patent reform legislation and information technology security bills.

For more on CTOs and their congressional requests:
- See this GCN article

Senator wants answers to H-1B snarl

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is looking for answers from the Bush administration, and soon. Grassley wants to know what progress has been made to make administrative changes to ease the difficulty in getting H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, including those skilled for technology jobs.

Last year, Grassley asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to study and report on potential reforms for getting the highly sought work visas. Congress, though, has yet to receive word on any potential solutions.

For more on Grassley's request:
- See this InformationWeek article

ALSO NOTED: Undermine cybercriminals; The CIO balancing act;

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

> Simple ways to undermine cybercriminals. Article
> The CIO balancing act. Article
> Interview: Paul Heller, CIO at Vanguard Group. Article
> Former Homeland Security CIO gets board post. Article

ALSO NOTED: Undermine cybercriminals; The CIO balancing act;

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

> Simple ways to undermine cybercriminals. Article
> The CIO balancing act. Article
> Interview: Paul Heller, CIO at Vanguard Group. Article
> Former Homeland Security CIO gets board post. Article

ALSO NOTED: India's Kerala adopts open-source; Google pays for gadgets;

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> India's Kerala adopts open-source. Article

> Google pays for gadgets. Article

> Homeland Security holds closed-door session. Article

> Learn why we click on spam. Article

And Finally... A social network for business managers and CIOs. Article

ALSO NOTED: Microsoft sues alleged Hotmail spammers; Why do women leave IT?;

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> Microsoft sues alleged Hotmail spammers. Article
> Why do women leave IT? Article
> Homeland Security CIO blamed for vulnerabilities. Article
> How to get Windows users to switch to Linux. Blog

And Finally... Green tech makes strides. Articles

ALSO NOTED: VoIP alliance effort takes a step forward; Where the next Gates will be coming from; and much more...

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:01:33 -0500

> VoIP alliance effort takes a step forward. Article

> Where the next Gates will be coming from. Article

> SMBs still more than a bit wary of IP telephony security. Article

> Homeland security now boasts some savvy tech tools. Article

> Telecommuting can stagnate careers, say report. Article

And Finally... A sneaker with a little extra something. Article