5.1: Critical Technology, Policy, and Culture Hurdles

Identify challenges in order to identify solutions to move forward with our open government objectives

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With every opportunity comes challenges, and Treasury is identifying these challenges in order to identify solutions to move forward with our open government objectives. One of the key hurdles involves policy and practices regarding the use of the various social media tools available. The government has a responsibility to ensure that information regarding the public we serve is properly protected from inappropriate disclosure, including unintended breach of sensitive information. This is a critical component to provide services to the American public and the Treasury community and maintain the trust of the public we serve. Treasury's mission involves several areas that intersect with national security issues, and as such must ensure that the information and data released to the public does not create unnecessary risk to our nation's security, while supporting the release of as much information as possible. The Open Government Directive requires that more information and data be published on websites and social media technologies. For more transparency, participation, and collaboration, the Section 508 policy will require revision. Bureaus and offices must ensure that members of the public with disabilities have access and use of our information and data or provide alternative means. A new supplemental Accessibility Chapter in the Treasury Information Technology Manual has been drafted. The Information Quality procedures chapter of the Treasury Information Technology Manual (http://www.treas.gov/offices/cio/information-management/infoqual.shtml) has been revised and is being prepared for final comments. A new policy on the use of social media and technologies has also been developed. The new policy and guidance document on the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) information collection program was prepared for comments prior to the Open Government Directive. Final changes are being made to both documents to encourage bureaus and offices to leverage social media technologies to obtain public comments for renewals and new information collections. While the Federal Register Notice (FRN) process is statutory, we believe the public will be more engaged in the process through new technological advances.

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