Technology & Digital Government Flashcards

A city manager wants to improve public trust in algorithmic decision-making tools used by the municipality. Which governance practice is most appropriate?

Answer: Publish algorithmic impact assessments and audit results publicly

Publishing algorithmic impact assessments promotes transparency and accountability, helping communities understand how automated tools affect public decisions.

Which term describes a formal agreement between a local government and a technology vendor that specifies performance metrics, uptime guarantees, and remedies for failures?

Answer: Service Level Agreement (SLA)

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) defines measurable expectations for vendor performance, including uptime, response times, and penalties for non-compliance.

What is the primary purpose of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in municipal IT systems?

Answer: Add an extra layer of identity verification beyond a password

MFA requires users to verify their identity through two or more factors (e.g., password plus a phone code), significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

A municipality is designing a digital equity program. Which population is MOST likely to be targeted by this initiative?

Answer: Residents lacking reliable internet access or digital literacy skills

Digital equity programs target underserved residents who lack internet access, devices, or digital skills needed to fully participate in the digital economy and government services.

When evaluating a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution for municipal use, which security concern is MOST critical to address in the vendor contract?

Answer: Data residency, ownership, and portability provisions

Data residency, ownership, and portability provisions ensure the municipality retains control over citizen data and can retrieve it if the vendor relationship ends.

Which technology enables residents to complete government forms, pay fees, and access services online without visiting a physical office?

Answer: E-government portals

E-government portals provide digital interfaces for residents to interact with government services remotely, improving convenience and operational efficiency.

A city council asks the IT department to conduct a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis for a new permit management system. What does TCO analysis primarily evaluate?

Answer: All costs over the system's lifecycle including licensing, training, maintenance, and migration

TCO analysis captures all direct and indirect costs over a system's full lifecycle to enable accurate budget forecasting and informed technology investment decisions.