2019 US Virgin Islands Code
Title 3 - Executive
Chapter 1 - Governor
§ 10b. Director’s duties and responsibilities

• (a) Develop specific information technology objectives, policies, procedures, and standards to guide the development of information systems within Government of the Virgin Islands to achieve maximum economy and quality, while preserving optimum user flexibility, including:

  • (1) policies, standards, and procedures for appropriate interchange of information, optimum service, and minimum costs;

  • (2) policies for pricing all information technology services performed by any territorial information technology cost recovery center so that every cost recovery center charges its users a rate for services that is both equitable and sufficient to recover all the costs of its operation, including the cost of capital equipment and facilities;

  • (3) policies governing coordination, cooperation, joint efforts, working relationships, and cost accounting relative to the development and maintenance of information technology and information systems; and

  • (4) policies to ensure the protection of individual privacy and guarantee the exclusive control to a user of its own data;

• (b) coordinate the preparation of agency and department information technology plans within the Government of the Virgin Islands, encompassing both short-term and long term needs that support the agency or department’s and the Territory’s strategic plans and assist independent instrumentalities of the Government with preparation of their technology plans;

(c) require each territorial agency, department and independent instrumentality to submit annually an information technology plan containing the information required by subsection (2) no later than March 1, of each year beginning in 2005;

(d) upon receipt of a territorial agency, department or independent instrumentality's information technology plan:

• (1) provide a complete copy of that plan to the Director of Management and Budget;

• (2) review and approve or disapprove an agency or department information technology plans to ensure that these plans are the most economically viable and are the best solution to the agency or department's needs and the needs of the United States Virgin Islands; and

• (3) approve or disapprove of and coordinate the acquisition of information technology equipment, telecommunications equipment, and related services for all agencies and departments of Government of the Virgin Islands;

(e) facilitate the implementation of agency, department and independent instrumentality's plans;

(f) establish priorities in terms of both importance and time sequencing for the development and implementation of information systems;

(g) monitor information systems development to promote maximum use of existing territorial information resources;

(h) advise the Governor on information technology policy and make recommendations to the Governor regarding requests for appropriations for information technology equipment and personnel;

(i) maintain liaison with the University of the Virgin Islands, the Legislature and judicial branch of the Virgin Islands, the independent instrumentalities of the Government of the Virgin Islands, the federal government, business and industry, and consumers to promote cooperation and make recommendations regarding information resources;

(j) conduct performance audits of territorial information technology management, planning, and the use of information technology resources and distribute copies of the audit reports as provided in section 10c of this chapter.

(k) prepare an Annual Report to the Governor and to the Legislature that:

• (1) summarizes the Territory’s current and projected use of information technology; and

• (2) includes a description of major changes in territorial policy and a brief description of each territorial agency, department and independent instrumentality’s plan;

(l) inform each agency, department and independent instrumentality of the requirements of this Chapter and Act; and

(m) as permitted by law, coordinate the efforts of the Government of the Virgin Islands to provide services and transactions through the Internet.

(n) establish and maintain criteria for determining which data center is to provide which data processing service(s) to each agency or department;

(o) establish policies for the development, operation, maintenance and performance management of data processing information systems, including, but not limited to, equipment, software, and data communication;

(p) establish and maintain criteria to be followed by the territorial government in participating with private industry, and the federal government in demonstrating or developing advanced information technologies;

(q) establish and maintain the criteria to be followed by data processing each agency in providing confidentiality and security of data, and the security of data-processing facilities and equipment in accordance with Section 10h of this Chapter;

(r) establish policies and guidelines for exchange of data between centers by inter coupling of telecommunications to ensure that exchanges do not jeopardize data security and confidentiality.

(s) facilitate procedures to allow the Office of Management and Budget to make an analysis of programs and budget and the Inspector General to conduct audits utilizing data in the Government of the Virgin Islands data processing information systems. Information shall not be provided to the Office of Management and Budget or Inspector General if specifically prohibited by federal or territorial law.

(t) promote public awareness and outreach.

(u) sponsor conferences, conduct studies, collect and disseminate information, and issue reports relating to information and communications technology issues and government developments.

(v) participate and represent the Government of the Virgin Islands in the activities of standards organizations and other appropriate activities and conferences related to information and communications technology issues.