Monday, October 14, 2002

National Homeland Security Knowledgebase The National Homeland Security Knowledgebase is a site that helps you to understand the real complexity of homeland security in the United States.  It is a vast resource, but one that I anticipate using on a regular basis. National Homeland Security Knowledgebase   The Global Justice Information Network is a nationwide project to use XML standards to share information.  The state's ICJIS project is a good example of what they are now trying to accomplish on a much wider scale.  Doug Bodrero, former Public Safety Commissioner for the State of Utah, is helping to drive this project from the Florida-based Institute for Intergovernmental Research.  Utah officials recently met with representatives from 11 other states to help drive this important initiative forward. 2:42:17 PM

BSL4 Lab in Utah? The Department of Community and Economic Development has created an online forum to discuss the merits of establishing a BSL4 laboratory in the state of Utah.  A biosafety level 4 lab, or BSL4, would be used for developing countermeasures for biological and chemical agents. More information on the BSL4 proposal. 12:56:16 PM

Legal Blogging ABA Journal eReport on blogging in the legal profession, A small but growing number of lawyers are turning to Web logs as a tool for their law practice. Blawgs resemble a kind of self-published, online newsletter. They are being touted as a communications tool to reach the nation’s lawyers, a public relations tool to display a lawyer’s knowledge of the law, and even a knowledge management system for lawyers to share expertise within a firm. The report also mention's Rory Perry's West Virginia Supreme Court weblog. 12:45:28 PM

Government Endeavors and Priorities A couple of years ago, the Brookings Institute completed a stude of Government’ s 50 Greatest Endeavors of the Past Half Century.  The study provides some useful ideas on what we might focus on in the deliverance of eGovernment services in the 21st century.  A followup that is also quite useful is the Institute's list of Government's Greatest Priorities of the Next Half Century.  12:31:22 PM

Interesting Google Search My weblog ended up as the #1 search result in this google search.  Notice the scroll bar is on the left hand side.... 12:15:45 PM

On the Verge While Jeff Gubler leads hundreds in California anti-war protests, Richard Muller gives us some insight into what Sadaam is up to in MIT's Technology Review.  They also provide some great info on how nanotechnology may be changing the nature of the battlefield.  JPL is now working on artificial muscle capabilities using electroactive polymers.  We'll soon have a real bionic man.  And the Deseret News discusses the Utah National Guard's potential role in an Iraqi conflict.  A huge war protest is scheduled for October 26th. The CIA posted its assessment of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs last week. Meanwhile, on the local front, we continue to define an enterprise technology project for homeland security.  Communications is a key component, along with enhanced analysis, incident management, and cybersecurity systems.  Roland Squire has been appointed to be the project executive.  Utah is also participating with 8 states in a pilot project and with twelve states in another information sharing project. 10:57:44 AM

HIPAA Compliance Wednesday is the original deadline for covered entities to comply with national HIPAA standards.  An extension is available if an entity submits a compliance plan by tomorrow.  Doug Springmeier advised all state agencies in cabinet meeting to file the extension if necessary.  The compliance plan can be submitted online. 9:40:55 AM

Biotech Competition The competition among states is stiffening according to an article in Government Technology.  Linda Johnson writes, "This is no longer a bicoastal phenomenon," with states including Utah, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin now battling for a piece of the pie, said Walt Plosila, head of the technology partner program at Battelle Memorial Institute, a nonprofit research and development contract center. Forty states have made life-science businesses the centerpiece of grand visions of high-tech clusters. Meanwhile, Utah continues to make advancements in biotech that should help keep the state at the forefront.  Utah State University is helping to extend biotech education into the high schools. A symposium from high school science and agriculture teachers will be held on November 4th.  The USU Biotechnology and Genomics Research Center supports a wide variety of biotech research. The Utah Life Science Association is offering a seminar series entitled Biotechnology and Medical Devices for Utah Professionals.  Just part of the overall effort to stimulate the Utah biotech economic ecosystem. 8:41:55 AM

© Copyright 2003 David Fletcher.