TECHNICAL PANEL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Tuesday, July 12, 2005, 9:00 a.m.
University of Nebraska-Varner Hall
3835 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, Nebraska
APPROVED MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brenda Decker, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska
Steve Henderson, Department of Administrative Services, State of Nebraska
Christy Horn, University of Nebraska, Compliance Officer
Bob Huber, (Alt. for Mike Beach, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission)
Kirk Langer, Lincoln Public Schools
Walter Weir, University of Nebraska
REMARKS FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RICK SHEEHY
Lieutenant Governor Sheehy thanked the panel for their assistance and role in working towards accomplishing the state’s IT goals. Both Governor Heineman and Lieutenant Governor Sheehy feel that information technology is very important to Nebraska’s citizens for education, economic development and government services. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions or provide comments.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING NOTICE
Mr. Weir called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. A quorum was present at the time of roll call. The meeting notice was posted to the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar on June 10, 2005 and the agenda was posted to the NITC website on July 8, 2005.
APPROVAL OF JUNE MINUTES
Ms. Decker moved to approve the June 7, 2005 minutes as presented. Mr. Langer seconded. Roll call vote: Huber-Yes, Decker-Yes, Henderson-Yes, Horn-Yes, Langer-Yes, and Weir-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES – RECOMMENDATION TO THE NITC
GEOSPATICAL METADATA STANDARD
Larry Zink, GIS Coordinator
Comments (PDF 58k) were received and addressed. Metadata is basically data about data. What frequently happens is when designer of a data set leaves, so does the information regarding data and data sets. Implementation of this standard would provide a common set that anyone could understand: what was designed and how it works. Mr. Zink provided a brief history of the GIS Steering Committee. Mr. Zink entertained questions and comments from the panel.
Mr. Huber moved to recommend the Geospatial Metadata Standard (PDF 38k) to the NITC for final approval with the recommended changes in Comment 2, except for the suggested changes to section 1.0. Ms. Decker seconded. Roll call vote: Weir-Yes, Langer-Yes, Horn-Yes, Henderson-Yes, Decker-Yes, and Huber-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. Motion carried.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES – COMMISSION ON PUBLIC ADVOCACY REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION (PDF 24k) (EMAIL STANDARD FOR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES)
The basis of the agency’s concern regarding the Email Standard for State Government Agencies (PDF 36k) is confidentiality and potential violation of Canon 4 of the Code of Professional Responsibility. If their email is stored on the state’s servers then access to email and/or other confidential information is possible by someone other than agency staff.
Mike Carr, Security Officer for the University of Nebraska, provided his suggestions which included requiring state IT staff to sign confidentiality statements, an umbrella type signed agreement between the agency and state IT Staff, or have a separate server housed in the data center staffed by qualified IT personnel.
It was decided to take no action on the exception request at this time. Ms. Decker as the state’s CIO, along with Mr. Carr, will meet with the agency to further discuss the standard. If the agency still wants an exemption, it was recommended to have the agency address the Technical Panel before a decision is made.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES – DEPARTMENT OF ROADS REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION (PDF 8k) (IDENTITY & ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARD (PDF 99k))
Steve Hartman, Information Management Services, State of Nebraska
Mr. Hartman explained that the first application, Nebraska Automated Truck Permit System (NTAPS), is in production and was in production prior to the approval of this standard. The agency is in the process of authenticating to the company. Because of this type of authentication, the standard is not applicable and thus, the agency should be exempt. As a matter of protocol, Jon Ogden of the Department of Roads wanted to follow the proper procedure.
In regards to the second application, Highway Condition Reporting System (HCRS), that is also in production and does require individual authentication. An exemption request is being submitted because there is a plan in place to re-write the application within 18 months. After which time, the agency would comply with the standard.
After discussion, it was decided that for the first application no exception was required and for the second application to approve an exception with an 18-month time frame to be reviewed after the rewrite. Mr. Becker will have a draft motion for the August meeting.
TECHNICAL PANEL CHARTER – DRAFT REVISION (PDF 51k)
The required Technical Panel membership is stated in statute and is indicated in sections 6.2.1-6.2.3: one representative from the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission: one representative from the Department of Administrative Services; and one representative from the University of Nebraska Computing Services Network. The Technical Panel and the NITC approved the additional membership to include: State of Nebraska Chief Information Officer; Executive Director of the NITC Commission (position no longer exists)’ one member with expertise in assistive technology; and one member representing K-12 education. Section 6.2.8 states “Other members as specified by the Commission.
Discussion followed regarding the proposed change for Section 6.3:
6.3 Member Recommendations and Approval
Recommendations for membership on the Technical Panel will be considered: from the agency represented for members in sections 6.2.1 through 6.2.3; from [*** TBD ***] for the member listed in section 6.2.6; and from [*** TBD ***] for the member listed in section 6.2.7. All members of the Technical Panel must be approved by the Commission.
The panel members made suggestions of possible sources for membership recommendations:
- Assistive Technology Representative: ADA Coordinator for the University of Nebraska, ADA Coordinator for the State of Nebraska (not currently filled at this point), State Voc Rehab Director, Assistive Tech Partnership Director.
- K12 Representative: Education Council to make the recommendation.
Mr. Becker will implement the suggestions and will have a revised charter for a future meeting. The revised charter will need to be approved by the NITC.
REGULAR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND WORK GROUP UPDATES
Accessibility of Information Technology Work Group, Christy Horn. The University of Nebraska has assessed a need for accessibility training of staff who are responsible for purchases.
CAP, Brenda Decker. CAP will be meeting today after the Technical Panel meeting. CAP has been a statewide collaborative effort with the University of Nebraska and the State as major leaders. Mr. Weir reported that there are over 250,000 users on Network Nebraska, and that I2 is now available to the entire educational community. There is an effort to consolidate I2 and the National LambdaRail (NLR) that would offer delivery of services at 10 gigabytes a second. The University has a LambdaRail at the Peter Kiewit Institute. Mr. Cone commented that Network Nebraska has been cost effective for ESU 10 in terms of dollars, bandwidth and delivery of services.
Security Work Group, Steve Henderson. The work group will be working with Mike Carr, University of Nebraska, regarding security efforts. The group will also be discussing the possibility of having a security person serve on the Technical Panel. Mr. Henderson reported that over the past 18 months, there has been lots of progress between the State and the University of Nebraska in regards to disaster recovery and business continuity.
Statewide Synchronous Video Network Work Group, Bob Huber. Mike Beach has been involved in and attending the LB 689 Distance Education Task Force meetings. At the next meeting, there will be a demonstration of the synchronous video network.
OTHER BUSINESS
The NITC web site will be undergoing a redesign. All pages including the standards web site will have a new look. Some of the standards will need to be reviewed and updated.
NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURNMENT
The NITC councils will be invited to participate in the August 9th Technical Panel Meeting. It will be held at 9:00 a.m. in Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege Street, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
With no further business, Mr. Weir adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Rick Becker of the Office of the CIO/NITC.
Meeting Minutes