Center for Democracy and Technology Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ari Schwartz will be leaving his current post to become senior Internet policy adviser at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Schwartz will begin his new role Aug. 30, 2010 and will work with the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force on [...]

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday it will begin collecting fees on travelers from Visa Waiver countries to fund a new tourism-promotion campaign. Travelers will be charged a $14 fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization. A portion of the fee will go toward funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created [...]

Last week’s International Conference on Cyber Security 2010 brought together global leaders and representatives from more than 40 countries in emerging cyber threat analysis and enforcement at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City. Held Aug. 2-5, the joint effort between the FBI and Fordham University gathered representatives from various law-enforcement and government [...]

To fuel game-changing ideas and generate excitement for the unique challenges Department of Defense encounters now and in the future, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected 33 researchers at 24 U.S. universities to participate in DARPA’s Young Faculty Award program. The YFA program combines funding and mentoring, with industry and DoD networking early [...]

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano last Wednesday applauded President Barack Obama’s intent to appoint Warren Stern as director of the department’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. “The men and women of DNDO play a critical role in strengthening America’s security,” Napolitano said. “Warren’s nuclear security and safety expertise will be a great asset to [...]

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday announced the six winners of innovation awards in the first cycle of the HHSinnovates program, which is aimed at supporting a “culture of innovation” in one of the federal government’s largest departments. “We launched the HHSinnovates awards program this year because we recognize that innovation is the lifeblood of continual [...]

Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis was unanimously confirmed by the Senate yesterday as new commander of U.S. Central Command. Mattis was recommended by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and will succeed Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who is now commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. His most recent post was commander of [...]

Chief of the National Guard Bureau Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley released yesterday a report titled “The National Guard: A Great Value for America” in response to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ effort to find efficiencies throughout the services. The report highlighted ways the National Guard contributes to Gates’ goal of reducing overhead costs [...]

The Senate yesterday confirmed Elena Kagan to serve on the 112th Supreme Court, making her the fourth female justice on the court when she is sworn in Saturday. Kagan, who was was approved by a vote of 63 to 37, will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and join two other women currently serving, Justice [...]

Presidental nominee James R. Clapper was unanimously confirmed by the Senate yesterday to become the next director of national intelligence. Clapper, a retired Air Force lieutenant general who most recently served as director of military intelligence and as undersecretary of defense for intelligence, will take over for Dennis C. Blair and will oversee the nation’s [...]