Section 7- Part 1-2

Question 1

Electronic Delivery of Government Services and Information

Answer 1

Broad access to the Internet and to mobile communications creates new opportunities for citizen participation in government. Other benefits include real-time, online access to information and collaboration between government agencies. But e-government (sometimes called “e-gov”) also creates new security challenges related to the storage and protection of electronic data. This includes private, personal information about citizens, such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers; proprietary business information of government contractors; and sensitive government information, such as plans for future, competitive procurements and the location of strategic weapons.

Question 2

Electronic Delivery of Service

Answer 2

E-government Act of 2002
Interconnectivity across platforms
Egovernment at work: Work examples

Question 3

Electronic Delivery of Government Service

Answer 3

In 2002, Congress passed Public Law 107-347, otherwise known as “The E-Government Act.” This law requires federal agencies to use Internet-based information technology to enhance citizen access to government information and services, and also requires numerous safeguards to personal privacy.
One purpose of the E-Government Act is to facilitate citizen participation in government and to make citizen-centric information readily available.

Question 4

Responsibilities of E-Gov

Answer 4

To support this goal, the law establishes the Office of Electronic Government (OEG) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).1 Today, that office is known as the Office of E-Government and Information Technology (E-Gov), headed by the federal government’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). The E-Gov has many responsibilities, including the following:
* assist all federal agencies in developing system architecture to support electronic government;
* ensure interconnectivity and interoperability across government websites;
* sponsor activities to engage the general public in developing programs and information portals that serve the needs of the public; and
* develop cost-effective security measures for web-based information

Question 5

Interconnectivity

Answer 5

A key to successful online access is inter-connectivity. For instance, a person who accesses www.whitehouse.gov will find links to all U.S. departments and agencies, as well as links to information on diverse topics, such as the conduct of elections, social security benefits and the biographies of former first ladies.

Interconnectivity can also improve crisis preparedness and response. The e-government initiatives include using information technology to expedite and integrate official responses to security threats, and natural and manmade disasters.

Federal agencies are required to measure the performance of their e-government initiatives. Performance criteria include the impact of e-government in helping agencies fulfill strategic goals; customer satisfaction and customer service; productivity in providing e-government services; and incorporation of commercial best practices

Question 6

Impact of E-government Initiatives

Answer 6

The practical impact of e-government initiatives is also reflected in the enhanced, online information available from federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court, federal district courts and bankruptcy courts are required to provide a website with links to the following information:
* location and contact information for the courthouse, including names and telephone numbers;
* court rules and general orders of the court;
* docket information for each case;
* the substance of all written opinions issued by the court; and
* access to non-restricted (publicly-available) documents filed with the court