California has announced an Open Data policy to make government data more accessible and useful to the public, while protecting privacy. The policy requires state agencies to modernize IT, use open formats and licenses, provide metadata descriptions, and designate data coordinators to manage assets and ensure appropriate prioritization and release of public datasets. Exemptions apply if releasing data could harm agencies, the public, national security or individual privacy. The Government Operations Agency oversees open data efforts and uses data to improve performance. CalData is a network for sharing best practices around open data, data sharing, training, and using data to enhance programs and management.

1. MEMORANDUM
TO: TRELYND BOWLES
FROM: JOSE MACIAS
SUBJECT: OPEN DATA & GOVOPS SUMMARIES
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POLICY OVERVIEW: OPEN DATA
California has announced its Open Data policy to unlock the value of government data to propel
innovation, improve the delivery of public services, and empower the people of California while
protecting privacy. In order to ensure that state government is taking full advantage of its
information resources, Agencies/state entities must manage information as an asset throughout
its life cycle to promote openness and interoperability, and to properly safeguard systems and
information. By issuing this Technology Letter, California moves to establish data.ca.gov1
,
outline the Open Data Policy for Agencies/state entities, include exemptions and provide an
Open Data Handbook.
OPEN DATA POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Agency/state entities will work towards fulling policy requirements by modernizing Information
Technology (IT), increasing data availability, using standard metadata descriptions, adopting
effecting asset portfolio management, prioritizing data collection and ensuring privacy and
confidentiality. Modernizing IT will exercise forethought when architecting, building to facilitate
data distribution to the public. IT will also use machine-readable and open formats for
information, prioritizes the use of open formats and use open licenses to avoid restrictions on
data published. The use of standard metadata descriptions will provide an accessible
Vocabulary Catalog, flexible data dictionaries for communities and be machine-readable.
Designating a Data Coordinator to oversee the creation of an enterprise data inventory will
effectively manage governance and data assets. The inventory will indicate which individual
datasets may be mad publically, if they are currently live for the public and link the datasets. The
public datasets will be formatted according to standard citation practices and provide data origin
information. Agencies/state entities shall identify and engage stakeholders to create a process
that ensures the appropriate prioritization of public datasets. Agencies/state entities should
make public data available in multiple file formats according to stakeholder and public need.
Finally, an internal data governance process to determine if information collected or created can
be made publicly available or is subject to restriction. This process will consider security-related
restrictions in its approach to collect or create information necessary for the proper performance
and evaluation of Agency/state entity functions. Additionally, this process will limit the sharing of
information that identifies individuals or contains proprietary information to ensure that
1
A statewide open data portal created to improve collaboration, expand transparency and lead to innovation and increased effectiveness.
While several Agencies/state entities host their own open data portals, data.ca.gov was designed specifically to host open data from more than
one agency. Data.ca.gov will link to existing state portals so that all of the state’s open data sets can be searched from a central location.

2. MEMORANDUM
TO: TRELYND BOWLES
FROM: JOSE MACIAS
SUBJECT: OPEN DATA & GOVOPS SUMMARIES
2 of 3
information is protected commensurate with the risk and magnitude of the harm that would
result from the loss, misuse, or unauthorized access to or modification of such information.
EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions for Agencies/state entities will be applicable if making data available to the public
would increase the potential to harm an Agency/state entity or the public. Applicable exceptions
are as follows:
1. The sharing of the data is restricted by statute, practice or legal precedent including—but
not limited to—patent or intellectual property law, the Export Asset Regulations, the
International Traffic in Arms Regulation, and the Federal laws and regulations governing
classified information;
2. The sharing of the data would create an identifiable risk to the detriment of national
security, confidentiality of Government information, or individual privacy;
3. The sharing of the data would create an identifiable risk to the stability, security, or
integrity of the Agency/state entity’s systems or personnel;
4. The sharing of data would create an identifiable risk to the Agency/state entity’s mission,
programs, or operations.
CAL GOVOPS
The Government Operations Agency was created on July 1, 2013, as part of Governor Edmund
G. Brown Jr.’s government reorganization plan No. 2, and was approved by the Little Hoover
Commission in May 2012 and the Legislature in June 2012. GovOps is responsible for
administering state operations including procurement, information technology and human
resources. GovOps’ projects have included using open data to drive innovation and improve
performance, revitalizing management training, focusing on user-centered design, increasing
sustainability and updating our civil service system. Together, all of these efforts have created a
California state government that strives to work for its employees and those it serves.
CALDATA
CalData is a professional network for data curious government individuals and partners where
they can share best practices and information about open data, data sharing, data engagement,
training and development, and data driven performance improvement. For Open Data, CalData
will develop the statewide open data portal, governance and policy standards, storage and
privacy, a statewide open data strategic plan and programs to promote civic engagement and
innovation. For Data Sharing, CalData will foster and promote a culture of data use by enabling

3. MEMORANDUM
TO: TRELYND BOWLES
FROM: JOSE MACIAS
SUBJECT: OPEN DATA & GOVOPS SUMMARIES
3 of 3
and encouraging departments to safely and securely share data to collaborate on common
issues and related programs. For Data Engagement, CalData will exchange best practices in
civic engagement that promote the use of data and engage the public and stakeholders to help
solve common social issues, and spark innovation in government practices. For Data Training
and Development, CalData will enhance existing training and evaluate curriculum on data
hygiene, data visualization, data analysis, and data management to build capacity in the state
workforce. For Data-Driven Performance Improvement, CalData will employ and analyze
operational data to improve program performance and modernizing the state’s management
culture. Additionally, CalData will Develop tools to support program performance and
organizational effectiveness