SUBJECT:
INTERNET DOMAIN NAME POLICY UPDATE
REFERENCES:
Government Code Section 11546
41 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 102-173
State Administrative Manual (SAM) Sections 4819.2, 5195, 5195.1, and 5195.2
Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) Sections 40A and 40B
Technology Letter (TL) – 17-05
BACKGROUND:
The primary use of the “.gov” domain is to promote government services and increase the ease of finding government information. To extend the use of this domain to state and local entities, the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has delegated the State of California an authority to administer the “ca.gov” second-level domain. As part of this delegated authority, the Government Operations Agency (GovOps) oversees the “ca.gov” domain name program and the California Department of Technology (CDT) manages the registration, change, and re-certification process for these domains. The “ca.gov” domain name accommodates official websites for California state entities, counties, cities, state-recognized tribal governments, Joint Powers Authorities, and independent local districts. Users of websites or other internet services with a Domain Name System (DNS) record within ca.gov zone can be assured they are accessing an official California governmental resource. To administer the “ca.gov” second-level domain, CDT has established policies and protocols consistent with federal policy including, but not limited to, 41 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 102-173,the Federal Interagency Committee on Government Information’s Recommendations for Federal Public Websites, and the federal DotGov Registrar administered by CISA.
As of April 26, 2021, management of the .gov top-level domain name has moved to the United States CISA from the United States General Services Administration (GSA).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Technology Letter (TL) is to announce:
-
- Updated State Administrative Manual (SAM) Section 5195, to reflect the policy change of .gov top-level domain name management from GSA to CISA.
- Updated SAM Section 5195.1, to include revised requirements for “ca.gov” internet domain usage.
- Updated Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) Section 40A, which includes the procedures and instructions for managing the registration, change, and renewal of “ca.gov” internet domains.
- Updated SIMM Section 40B with revised Frequently Asked Questions.
- TL-17-05 has been superseded by this TL.
QUESTIONS:
Direct questions regarding this Technology Letter to the Department of Technology, Office of Enterprise Technology at Info.eservices@state.ca.gov.
SIGNATURE:
On file
Amy Tong, Director
California Department of Technology