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Newsletter | November 2010
From the Desk of Bobbie Browning
Engaging customers, building relationships and encouraging return visitors are hallmarks of outstanding B2C websites. Leaders in this arena are Apple®, Amazon® and Wells Fargo®. In the age of 4G networks, personalized product updates and mobile shopping applications, we’ve come to expect highly-personalized and efficient online experiences. I can order the latest best seller on Amazon or pay my utility bill through online banking…all from my smart phone while sitting at my favorite coffee shop. This is all made possible through secure cloud computing services. Why shouldn’t I expect to get the same level of experience from government?
In the past few years, I’ve seen the advent of much technological advancement in the area of security, but none are more exciting than the advent of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program - FedRAMP. Why? Because this has the potential to dramatically impact innovation, accelerate the adoption of cloud applications, substantially reduce IT spending and make government more effective and efficient.
FedRAMP, a joint authorization board among GSA, DoD, DHS and NIST, has two primary goals: aggregate cloud computing standards and centralize certification processes. According to the Brookings Institute’s Economic Gains of Cloud Computing, “Cloud computing services over the Internet have the potential to spur a significant increase in government efficiency and decrease technology costs, as well as to create incentives and online platforms for innovation. Adoption of cloud computing technologies could lead to new, efficient ways of governing.”
View Federal CIO Vivek Kundra’s Brookings Institute presentation on the Economic Gains of Cloud Computing.
At the helm of improving government effectiveness and efficiency is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is responsible for defining cloud computing standards for the entire federal government. A leader in its own right, NIST was one of the recent federal organizations to deploy enterprise-wide Software as a Service digital communication solution. Utilizing secure digital communication tools ‘in the cloud,’ has reduced the cost of delivering services, enhanced transparency and improved citizen experience. I’d like to congratulate NIST on their recent “Excellence in Communications Award” for their innovative use of cloud computing to expand audience reach and drive public engagement.
It’s with great pleasure and pride that we recognize the federal government being a ‘game changer’ in changing the way government operates. Moving forward with a cloud computing certification process, establishing standards around interoperability, data portability and security will save taxpayers millions, offer a more personalized relationship with government, and provide more online government services.
National Institute of Standards and Technology Recognized for Enterprise Approach in Digital Communication, Outreach, and Engagement
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was recognized as an Excellence in Communications award recipient for “deploying and strongly supporting an enterprise wide communication and engagement effort to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness…through the use of digital communication channels by multiple offices, programs, and laboratories; realizing over 1,000 percent growth in subscribers, and over 2,000 percent growth in updates.”
The Excellence in Communications award is presented to government organizations taking innovative approaches to improve communication and service to the public through effective communication channels, collaboration, and compelling content.
NIST’s growing digital outreach has been led by innovative staff and programs across the organization, including Public and Business Affairs Office, the Computer Security Division’s Computer Security Resource Center, and the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program.
Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
NIST employs about 2,900 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support and administrative personnel. Also, NIST hosts about 2,600 associates and facility users from academia, industry, and other government agencies. In addition, NIST partners with 1,600 manufacturing specialists and staff at about 400 Manufacturing Extension Partnership locations around the country.
The agency’s email message service has 49,021 subscribers and features 135 topics, with more than 1.4 million messages sent out in 2010. Activity on NIST’s two blogs (TechBeat and Blogrige) is also quite heavy, with more than 64,000 page views this year – an average of 79 page views each day.
To subscribe to NIST updates on over 130 topics, visit www.nist.gov, and click “Sign Up for NIST E-mail alerts.”
Save the date! Drive Your Strategic Mission Initiatives by Directly Connecting with the Public
Featuring Aaron W. Smith, Senior Research Specialist with the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center – Atrium Ballroom
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington D.C. 20004
GSA unveils Notifications Dashboard on USA.gov – a valuable resource for agency information
The popularity and success of modern shopping malls and “super” grocery stores (including everything from food to major appliances) demonstrate Americans’ desire to have a wide variety of products all placed in a single, convenient location. Indeed, there’s seldom a need any longer to drive to many different places because it’s all in one place.
In a similar vein, the General Services Administration (GSA) in September launched a beta version of its Notifications Dashboard. The dashboard provides quick, comprehensive access to real-time updates and information about most any aspect of the United States federal government – all in one convenient location.
"Whether it be food recalls, weather warnings, or the latest information on government initiatives, the public's need for information from their government continues to grow," said Dave McClure, Associate Administrator of GSA's Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies. "By putting real-time notifications at citizens' fingertips or in the palm of their hand, we have created a way for agencies to provide critical information that citizens want in ways they want it."
View McClure's video introducing Notifications Dashboard.
The Notifications Dashboard on USA.gov provides a real-time, single-entry point to receive messages from hundreds of federal agencies via email, SMS, RSS feed and social media channels. Whether users want the latest hurricane warning updates, tips on avoiding the flu this winter, product recalls, or automobile safety reports, it’s all there.
The Dashboard supplies users with a live stream of content with a Twitter-like search capability, as well as a filterable view of data and subscriptions available across federal government. Any federal agency can add its RSS feeds to the dashboard – click here to incorporate your agency’s feed into the dashboard.
“This new service by GovDelivery makes it easier for the public to see what new information government is posting on any given topic in real time and makes it simple for people to register ongoing updates on topics of interest,” said Dave McClure, GSA Associate Administrator of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies.
By registering on the Dashboard, all one needs to do is log on, enter a keyword in a real-time search box, locate a link from an appropriate agency, click subscribe, and then wait for a flow of information to head their way.
Sign up to get updates on a range of topics, such as Health and Human Services “Daily HealthBeat Tip,” Department of Energy’s “Green Power Monthly,” or USDA/FDA’s FoodSafety.gov’s food recalls .
Read more:
Updates for more than just a rainy day – National Weather Service sends out nearly 100 million messages in 2010
As Mother Nature continues to throw hurricanes and winter storms at the United States, digital updates are incredibly popular with people wanting to stay apprised of the latest weather reports and advisories. No wonder the National Weather Service is closing in on its 100-millionth message sent in 2010 using GovDelivery’s digital communications platform.
Whether you want to hear details on the latest “storm of the century,” track a hurricane headed your way, or simply catch up on weather for your hometown, the National Weather Service (NWS) provides email messages and RSS feeds containing all the details you need.
Sign up for NWS alerts here.
With messages coming directly from the National Hurricane Center, Storm Prediction Center and River Forecast Centers across the country, more than 72,000 individuals receive personalized updates on everything from hurricanes and severe weather advisories to fire danger levels and
water supply forecasts.
Working toward a brighter future for America with renewable energy
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Harnessing and finding new ways to use renewable energy is in everyone’s best interest. As a result, use of sustainable energy sources has increased in popularity with the advent of advanced technology, reduced installation costs and various financial incentives from local, state and federal government agencies.
Working through the Department of Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) “invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.” The EERE’s website not only features an easy way to receive email updates on the office’s latest efforts, but detailed information about alternate energy sources including solar, wind, water, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen and fuel cells.
While several federal agencies have implemented different approaches to alternative energy promotion, all have also dedicated themselves to suggesting innovative ways to reduce other agencies’ carbon footprint. One example is the EERE’s Energy Empowers program that shares clean energy stories from across the country, along with tips for homeowners and businesses interested in using sustainable energy.
GovDelivery clients are already doing their part by using digital communications to connect with their residents and stakeholders by reducing use of paper and postage. Learn how digital communications reduces costs, cuts carbon footprint and supports green initiatives.
Other examples of how GovDelivery has helped government support “green” technology
Homeland Security reaches the public with important information on terrorist threats, immigration, disasters, and border security
The threat of terrorism and issues surrounding immigration and border security are frequently covered in the media, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the forefront of helping protect our nation.
In order to keep up to date on the latest news and information, members of the public rely on the department to provide information.
DHS has sent more than 21 million messages in 2010 to nearly 200,000 individuals who have visited the department’s site and subscribed to receive notifications on 200 topics. This information includes counterterrorism, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), border enforcement and citizenship applications. The department also oversees agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has been a critical agency during hurricane season.
Examples of notifications recently sent by the DHS to subscribers include:
- The start of new passenger “pat-down” procedures at airports.
- Updated security measures taken since the plot to conceal and ship explosives on board aircraft bound for the United States.
- Naturalization of 11,146 military service members in 2010.
Learn how FEMA uses digital communications to reach a larger audience with important information about emergencies.
GovLoop Spotlight Project of the week: Challenge.gov
Challenge.gov is a platform which allows federal agencies to post challenges, and at the same time, allows the public to find challenges and solutions.
Earlier this year, GSA issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a no-cost solution and selected ChallengePost, which created challenge.gov. ChallengePost has experience working with government clients, having run New York City's Big Apps and Apps for Healthy Kids with USDA and First Lady Michelle Obama, among over 100 total challenges.
For more details on how Challenge.gov got started, click here.
Go to Challenge.gov (http://challenge.gov) and see for yourself. Also, follow us on Twitter @ChallengeGov to learn when each new challenge is launched.
Want to be inspired? Read all about past Projects of the Week. Are you engaged in an extraordinary project? Tell us about it! |
