OMB issues e-government pointers

The Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday provided federal agencies

with guidance on how to use the Internet and other technology to reduce

the paperwork they process.

The guidance is intended to help agencies comply with the 1998 Government

Paperwork Elimination Act, which requires agencies by Oct 21, 2003 to provide

people and organizations the option of dealing with the government electronically

instead of on paper.

The guidelines focus on the importance of "electronic signatures" and

related technology as a way to ensure that electronic documents have not

been intercepted or altered during the transaction.

"Public confidence in the security of the government's electronic information

processes is essential as agencies make this transition" to Web-based transactions,

according to OMB.