Tech Industry Has Mixed Feelings on Obama

A look at the week of October 18, 2010, in public advocacy for the IT channel

This week, Politico examines Obama’s record on technology policy and what it could mean for mid-term elections.  The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security finally reached an agreement on how to manage cybersecurity responsibilities. A tax reporting requirement attached to the healthcare bill has small IT businesses up in arms.

Tech Industry Has Mixed Feelings on Obama — Two years after rallying behind his campaign, technology industry executives give President Barack Obama mediocre reviews, says Politico.  Obama has not done enough to ensure long-term economic recovery for tech companies and a number of their priorities have gotten little more than lip service from the White House.  Obama has said he supports some of the industry’s key priorities but can’t seem to settle on the right strategy or use the necessary political capital to see them through.

Defense and DHS Reach Cybersecurity Compromise — The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have established the Joint Coordination Element Office to better coordinate cybersecurity measures between the two departments.  Nextgov.com reports the deal was finalized after a protracted debate over whether Defense, DHS or the White House should have chief responsibility for protecting information networks. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum of agreement outlining the personnel, tools and facilities the two departments will share to improve collaboration on cyber activities.

Tax Rule Change Cause Big Issues for Small Business —According to Reuters’ Deep Pocket Blog,  the new 1099 reporting requirements attached to the health care bill will hit small businesses hard. The new rule requires businesses to report all transactions to any vendor over $600 a year to the IRS, creating unnecessary red tape.  During the recent debate over the small business lending bill, efforts to get the 1099 reporting requirements repealed failed, though it seems likely that they’ll be modified in some way before 2012.