Federal IT Budget To Increase In 2014

Federal IT spending will increase nearly 2%, to $82 billion, in the fiscal 2014 budget submitted by the White House on Wednesday. It's the first significant increase in federal IT spending in four years.

Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel said in a briefing the increase -- $1.4 billion more than in fiscal 2013 -- reflects the Obama administration's commitment to investing in IT for its ability to have a multiplier effect on government efficiency. Reiterating existing policy, VanRoekel said the Office of Management and Budget wants agencies to invest in more modular and flexible IT systems that can be implemented quickly.

VanRoekel, in a blog post, said the budget will advance OMB's goals of improving services for the public, increasing the return on investment of federal IT and advancing cybersecurity.