Privacy and Security Policy
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) maintains this Web
site as a public service. This policy describes DIR's privacy and
security practices regarding information collected from visitors to
the site, including what information is collected and how that
information is used. The policy applies to all pages beginning with
www.dir.state.tx.us, www.texan.state.tx.us, www.tex-an.state.tx.us,and
www.tex-an.net, and www.tgic.state.tx.us.
Please note that all information collected or maintained
by DIR is subject to the provisions of the Texas Public Information
Act (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code). The e-mail addresses of most members of the public who communicate with state agencies through the Internet is confidential under Texas law. Exceptions to confidentiality may be reviewed at Texas Government code, Section 552.137.
Use/Release of Information
Server Logs/Log Analysis Tools
DIR uses server logs and log analysis tools to create summary
statistics about Web site usage to improve site management. The
statistics are used for purposes such as assessing what information
is of most interest to users, determining technical design
specifications, and identifying system performance or problem
areas. DIR does not report or use this information in any manner
that would reveal personally identifiable information, and does not
release the information to any outside parties unless required to
do so under applicable law.
The following information is collected for this analysis:
- User/client hostname - Hostname (or IP
address, if DNS is disabled) of the user/client requesting
access.
- HTTP header, "user-agent" - Type of browser
used, the browser version, and the operating system it is
running on.
- HTTP header, "referer" - Page from which
the user/client accessed the current page.
- System date - Date and time of the user/client
request.
- Full request - Exact request the user/client
made.
- Status - Status code the server returned
to the user/client.
- Content length - Length, in bytes, of the
document sent to the user/client.
- Method - Request method used.
- Uniform Resource Identifier (URI or URL) - Location of a resource on the server.
- Query string of the URL - Anything after
the question mark in a URL.
- Protocol - Transport protocol and version
used.
DIR monitors network traffic for site security purposes and to
ensure that the site remains available to all users. Unauthorized
attempts to upload information, change information on this site, or
otherwise cause damage are strictly prohibited and may be
punishable under Texas Penal Code Chapters 33 (Computer Crimes) or
33A (Telecommunications Crimes). Except as may be required for
authorized law enforcement investigations, no attempts are made to
identify individual users or their usage habits. DIR does not use
raw data logs for any other purposes; however, it is possible that
parts of raw data logs could be determined to be open records by
the Office of the Attorney General. If such a determination were
made subsequent to a Public Information Act request for the logs,
DIR would be required to disclose parts of the logs deemed open by
the Office of the Attorney General.
E-Mail
State agencies may not sell or release the e-mail addresses
of most members of the public that have been provided to communicate
electronically with a government body without the affirmative
consent of the affected member of the public. Exemptions to
this confidentiality may be reviewed at Texas Government Code,
Section 552.137. Personally identifiable information contained
in a question or comment sent to DIR in an e-mail message
or submitted in an online form is only used by DIR to respond
to the request and to analyze trends. DIR may redirect the
message to another government agency or government employee
who is in a better position to answer the question.
Web-Based Forms
DIR uses Web-based forms for such purposes as collecting survey
results, providing online registration for some DIR-sponsored
events, and providing online reporting of continuing education
activities by Information Resources Managers. Personally
identifiable information collected from Web-based forms has a
specified use (for example, registration, survey response, etc.)
and DIR uses the information only for that purpose. Each Web-based
form contains a link to this privacy policy.
An individual who submits information in electronic format
through this Web site is entitled, on request, to receive and
review the information DIR collects about the individual, and to
have DIR correct the information. To do this, please email DIR Info
.
Cookies and Web Bugs
The DIR Web site may use cookies to provide interactive pages,
such as Web-based forms and surveys. DIR does not use cookies for
other purposes. The DIR Web site does not use Web bugs (also called
Web beacons or Clear GIFs) to track or report visitor
information.
For Additional Information
Additional information regarding privacy and security policies
is provided in the Privacy and Security Policy Guidelines.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission also provides information for
educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal
information privacy.
If you have questions or comments about DIR's privacy and
security policy, please send e-mail to
DIR Info or call 512 475-4700.
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