Federal Daily News

Executive order to limit smart phones, tablets and more

As part of a larger effort that could save billions of dollars, President Barack Obama has signed an executive order that will, among other things, limit the number of IT devices that can be issued to each federal employee.

The executive order directs agencies to limit the number of information technology devices -- cell phones, smart phones, tablets and laptops -- that they provide to employees or support. The Department of Homeland Security, for example, previously wasted millions of dollars each year by paying for unused cell phones and air cards. The agency now conducts annual audits of use and has saved $10.5 million to date.

To see the complete story in our sister publication, Federal Computer Week, click here.

About the Author

Camille Tuutti is a staff writer covering federal IT and the federal workforce for Federal Computer Week. Follow her on Twitter: @camilletuutti.



 

Reader comments

Fri, Nov 11, 2011 EPA4GAL Atlanta

Wow, some Feds get cell phones and laptops? As a career Fed, I use my own cell phone and laptop. Who wants to carry two cell phones and two laptops when they travel, etc? Managers maybe? But then again, Fed managers are pretty much incompetent fluff for the most part anyhow. If there is anywhere the government can cut, it is in management. They do nothing but harass the rest of us who are competent enough to actually do our jobs. It is little wonder Federal unions are alive and well.

Thu, Nov 10, 2011 Leslie T.

I can't think of any reason a gov worker would need a gov provided cell phone/blackberry. It is a waste of the taxpayers money. You have a landline at your desk, use it. You have a PC on your desk, use it. When the shift bell rings, it's time to go home, and when you close the door on your office cubicle, that is where you leave "the work".

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