20 FAM 100
Introduction to 20 FAM: Data and AI
20 FAM 101
Introduction to 20 FAM
20 FAM 101.1
Guiding Principles, Scope, and Business Drivers (Introduction to 20 FAM)
(CT:DATA-11; 11-28-2024)
(Office of Origin: M/SS/CFA)
20 FAM 101.1-1 Guiding Principles
(CT:DATA-11; 11-28-2024)
The “SAGES” Guiding Principles, as outlined in the Department’s Enterprise Data Strategy, support the overall data strategy by providing a clear value framework for prioritizing implementation activities and addressing challenges that arise. These Guiding Principles were created by stakeholders across the Department.
(1) Shared. Data is appropriately shared across the Department through collective stewardship to enable analysis across the enterprise and enhance its value. Effectively shared data empowers the workforce to derive its own insights from cross-cutting data and reduces duplicate dataset purchases.
(2) Applied. Data is broadly understood and applied to inform evidence-based decisions at all levels and missions across the globe. Decisions that factor in end user needs will enable the workforce to blend their expertise with data insights more easily.
(3) Governed. Effective oversight and management of data enables the Department’s applications through improved data quality, simplified use, and investment decisions prioritized by mission impact. Clearly managed and accurate data builds trust and reduces the reporting burden on the end user.
(4) Ethical. Data is responsibly collected, stored, and utilized to provide accountability to the U.S. taxpayer and uphold the highest levels of scientific and data integrity. Implementing leading industry standards in ethical data capabilities minimizes bias, fulfills the Department’s obligations to the U.S. people, and models the importance of incorporating democratic values in technology on the world stage.
(5) Secure. Data is safeguarded through industry leading security practices at each classification level to protect U.S. national interests at home and abroad. As malicious actors seek to gain unlawful access to sensitive data, decisions that advance security will remain paramount to protecting national security and privacy.
20 FAM 101.1-2 Scope
(CT:DATA-11; 11-28-2024)
This data policy applies to all projects and programs collecting, using, and/or storing data. As such, the Office of the Secretary of State, the Undersecretariats, and other Principal Offices as well as their constituent bureaus and offices, every mission and post, and all other organizational entities and support structures within the Department, must comply with the provisions of this policy.
20 FAM 101.1-3 Business Drivers
(CT:DATA-11; 11-28-2024)
a. Pursuant to the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 and 1 FAM 044, the Chief Data Officer (CDO) and the Center for Analytics in the Office of Management Strategy & Solutions (M/SS/CfA) are authorized to administer and manage data management policies and processes at the Department. Under the Act, the CDO holds broad data management roles and responsibilities at the Department. Because the CDO also acts as the Managing Director of M/SS/CfA, the organization supports the CDO as they fulfill duties related to data management at the Department. The CDO and the M/SS/CfA work with the Enterprise Data Council (EDC) to ensure that bureaus/posts/offices’ varied interests are considered.
b. Per OMB M-10-06 and M-13-13, "agencies must adopt a presumption in favor of openness to the extent permitted by law and subject to privacy, confidentiality, security, or other valid restrictions." Accordingly, data not exempt under the above policies should be made available within the Department. Where technical limitations exist, parties will work to prioritize sharing to meet Department and Government-wide goals.
c. Restrictions may include but are not limited to licensing agreements, personally-identifiable information (PII) protected pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a (also known as the Privacy Act of 1974); information exempted from mandatory public disclosure in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552 (Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)); information within systems covered under attorney-client privilege or attorney work product; information restricted from release due to classification; and information controls on secondary release and dissemination of technical documents and as defined by Diplomatic Security.