FederalDaily - June 28, 2006

Union Launches Radio Show for Feds

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) will begin broadcasting a nationwide radio show on June 30 to discuss issues affecting federal employees. According to a press release, the show—called “Inside Government”—is scheduled to take place every Friday at 10:00 a.m. and can be heard on 1050 AM in Washington, D.C., or online at www.federalnewsradio.com. The show will feature interviews and commentary with political leaders, union officials and journalists. “This show will give the real story on what is happening inside our federal agencies and the rights of federal employees,” said AFGE President John Gage.

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OMB Issues Data Security Guidelines

Federal agencies have 45 days to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information, according to a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued last week. In addition to the memo, Clay Johnson, OMB deputy director, provided a checklist of guidelines to follow when information is removed from or accessed outside of the workplace. In the wake of the personal data losses at the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies, OMB is looking to ensure each department and agency follow the requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act. “We intend to work with the Inspectors General community to review these items as well as the checklist to ensure we are properly safeguarding the information the American taxpayer has entrusted to us,” the memo says. The memo is available online at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2006/m06-16.pdf.

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Navy Data Disclosure Related to Katrina

All of the 30,000 Navy personnel and dependents who had personal information posted on a public Web site were stationed in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, officials announced Monday. The Chief of Naval Personnel was notified June 22 that a public site contained files with personal information of thousands of personnel and dependents, including names, birth dates and Social Security Numbers. The Navy has mailed letters to 30,618 individuals affected. Concerned individuals can also obtain more information by calling the Navy Personnel Command at (866) 827-5672 or going to www.npc.navy.mil. There is no evidence that the information has been used for illegal purposes, according to Navy officials.

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