Accessibility During MBTA Closures – Boston.gov

Report on Secure Digital Government Infrastructure and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The implementation of secure protocols on government websites is a critical step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to build effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. This initiative directly supports the following targets:

• Target 16.6: By ensuring secure and reliable digital platforms, governments develop effective and transparent institutions, fostering public trust.
• Target 16.10: Secure websites ensure public access to information while protecting fundamental freedoms by safeguarding user data and preventing misinformation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Secure digital infrastructure is a cornerstone of modern innovation and aligns with the objectives of SDG 9. The standardization of security measures on government domains contributes to:

• Target 9.1: The development of quality, reliable, and resilient digital infrastructure that supports economic development and human well-being.
• Target 9.c: Increased and safer access to information and communications technology (ICT), providing a secure foundation for digital inclusion and public service delivery.

Key Indicators for Secure Digital Engagement

To ensure safe interaction with official government platforms and support the integrity of these digital institutions, citizens should verify the presence of the following security indicators:

1. Use of HTTPS: A URL beginning with “https://” indicates that the connection to the website is secure and encrypted. This is a foundational requirement for the safe transmission of information.
2. Presence of a Lock Icon: A visual lock symbol in the browser’s address bar confirms that the connection is secure and the website’s identity has been verified.
3. Official Domain Verification: Sharing sensitive information should be restricted to official, secure websites that display these confirmed security features.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The issues discussed in the article, primarily focusing on secure government websites, connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • The article is published on a “.gov” website, which represents a public institution. By explaining the security measures (HTTPS, lock icon) in place, the institution demonstrates a commitment to being effective, accountable, and transparent in its digital operations, which is a core principle of SDG 16.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  • The article’s subject is the use of secure web technology (HTTPS). This technology is a fundamental part of modern information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. Ensuring this infrastructure is secure and reliable is essential for increasing public access and trust, aligning with the goals of SDG 9.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   • The government’s use and promotion of secure websites, as described in the article, is an action that builds a more effective and accountable institution. It ensures that the public can interact with government services and information safely, thereby fostering trust.

2. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

   • The article’s main purpose is to assure the public of a “safe connection” to the “.gov” website. Using HTTPS protects the privacy and integrity of the data exchanged between the user and the website. This act of securing public access to information is a direct implementation of protecting the public’s fundamental right to access information safely and privately.

3. Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries.

   • While the article does not address affordability or developing countries, it directly concerns the quality and security of access to information and communications technology. By implementing and explaining security standards like HTTPS, it contributes to building a more resilient and trustworthy ICT infrastructure, which is a prerequisite for increasing safe and effective access.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not mention any official SDG indicators by their designated codes. However, it strongly implies a practical indicator that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Implied Indicators

• Proportion of official government websites using the HTTPS protocol.
  • The article explicitly highlights “https://” and the lock icon as signs of a secure website. Therefore, tracking the percentage of government websites that have correctly implemented this security protocol serves as a direct and measurable indicator of progress. This metric would quantify the commitment of institutions (Target 16.6) to providing secure public access to information (Target 16.10) via robust ICT infrastructure (Target 9.c).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: boston.gov