Beat Watch
Auditor general says feds failed security test
Auditor General Sheila Fraser recently issued her Annual Report which found, among other things, certain weaknesses in procedures for awarding industrial contracts, posing security risks to sensitive government information. Responding to the report, Public Works and Government Services Canada shares its "robust action plan" to enhance the department's security procedures.
Post-secondary prep kit for differently-abled students launched
The Alberta government has launched a new resource kit aimed at encouraging and preparing students with disabilities for post-secondary education. The multimedia resource includes a transition planning guide for students and their families, as well as a video showcasing inspirational success stories.
Enhanced driver's licence approval sparks privacy caution
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced last week it will add enhanced driver's licences as one of the approved identification documents for Canadians travelling south of the border. With RFID being eyed as a likely technology to be used to develop these highly secured driver's licences, Ontario's privacy watchdog raises caution to ensure proper implementation.
PWGSC inks $91.8M managed IT services deal
Public Works and Government Services Canada has entered into a $91.8 million managed IT services contract with CGI Group Inc., under which the Montreal-based IT outsourcer will provide engineering and technical management services to PWGSCbs Information Technology Services Branch over a three-year period.
Nova Scotia exec urges 'constant evolution' in public service
Service Nova Scotia Minister Jamie Muir has urged public servants to work towards delivering services that keep pace with the changing needs of citizens. And while many governments have begun their journey towards a citizen-centric service approach, one public administration expert says the road ahead is not always easy.
Canadian municipalities sign up for eUniversity
The Municipal Information Systems Association has introduced an online learning portal for municipal IT staff and end-users, which offer both technical and business skills development programs. Proponents say the portal provides big benefits for municipalities in remote areas by taking the traveling part out of training.
E-Health
Ontario health networks boost digital imaging
When Dianne Beattie talks about the digital imaging hospital information network she oversees, her focus isn't on the IT equipment but on the improvement in health care delivery. Beattie is the CIO for St. Joseph's Health Care and the London Health Sciences Centre, two teaching hospitals that play key roles in the functioning of the Southwest Ontario Digital Imaging Network Project. She discusses how digital imaging and collaboration are changing the face of Ontario's health care system.
Governance
Why Parliament needs a Second Life
Virtual reality sites, such as the popular Second Life, are getting a lot of attention from public leaders and have increasingly become a venue for propagating political platforms and creating a virtual existence. CIO Government Review columnist, Jeffrey Roy, explores the democratic landscape, or lack thereof, in the virtual reality world of the Linden-spending Avatars.
Feature: Identity management
Secret Identity: Solving the privacy puzzle in a federated model
As more and more services move online, identifying and authenticating citizens in cyber-space are becoming more difficult for governments. Citizens want one-stop service but they also want assurances their personal information is kept private. Securely sharing identity information while remaining within the confines of privacy legislation, therefore, is a challenge the public sector is working to overcome.
British Columbia pilots virtual identity cards
In 2008, British Columbia will be launching one of the first pilots of virtual identity cards in North America, which will tackle to specific areas: allowing government employees to log onto Wi-Fi networks, and authenticating citizens to government Web sites. Other governments are said to be watching this pilot project closely.
Year-end
Tech trends to ring in the New Year
From going green to Web 2.0, government has a lot on its agenda for 2008. CIO Government Review asked industry experts to gaze into the crystal ball and make their top technology predictions for the public sector. Here's a look at what the (near) future holds.
2007: Year in review
This year, technology in government was all about refinement more than anything else. But this was the first year in which the industry saw the amount of digital content created surpass its ability to store it. Here's a review of the role technology played in government this past year.
Profile
Interview with Diane Lorenzato, assistant deputy minister of human resources, PWGSC
Public Works and Government Services Canada recently launched a multimedia recruitment campaign to attract young workers and recent graduates into the folds of public service, prompted in part by the impending retirement of baby boomers. Senior writer Lisa Williams spoke with PWGSC's assistant deputy minister of human resources, Diane Lorenzato, about the challenges of attracting and retaining IT talents, the common misconceptions about working for the government and her advice for those looking to start their career in the public sector.
E-Security
Access policies can unlock database value
Don't let your data warehouse turn into an IT security nightmare, warns CIO Government Review columnist Richard Bray. Bray explores the security challenges involved in managing continuously increasing volumes of data, while looking at how organizations can get the most value out of their data jewels.