OMB said it will review all usage of non-.gov domains to limit their use in official communication, information, and services. Image: dencg/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOMB has told agencies that effective immediately they generally “must use government domains (i.e., .gov or .mil) for all official communications, information, and services,” saying that the.gov domain “contributes to increased public trust in online government information and services, as well as safer operations and communications among all branches and levels of government.”
“For the American people, the use of the .gov domain is a critical indicator that they are accessing official information, services, and communications. When .gov domains are used for websites, people have greater confidence that the information on those sites is authoritative and trustworthy. When .gov domains are used for email, people have greater confidence that the contents of that email are safe and secure,” says OMB memo M-23-10.
OMB said it “will review all usage of non-.gov domains by agencies, with the goal of limiting the use of non-.gov domain names for official communication, information, and service delivery. OMB may require an agency to provide a rationale for the continued use of a non-.gov domain name, and, if appropriate, may direct an agency to cease the use of a non-.gov domain name.”
Agencies however may continue to use “third-party services operated by non-governmental entities on non-governmental domains that are needed to effectively interact with the public” such as social media services, source code collaboration, and vulnerability disclosure reporting systems.
“Agencies should register new domains, reuse existing domains, and retire unused domains to meet their operational needs; clearly communicate information; and deliver trustworthy and recognizable public services. Agencies should be good stewards of .gov and .mil domains to meet the expectations of the public and ensure a high level of trust,” it says.
“A good government domain name should be memorable for the American people, not longer than necessary, and describes the relevant government organization or service in an unambiguous way,” it adds.
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