This policy governs public-facing websites that are part of Digital Nomads World  digital ecosystem, which includes web-based platforms used to deliver information to the general public: Content delivered on the domain  www.DigitalNomadsWorld.com subdomains thereof, and other DNW a branded  content on platforms controlled by the DNW; video hosted on DNW accounts on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo; and files shared via links from the public website. Social media is included herein as the DNW Media / Social / DNW named sights.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

The DNW provides an integrated user experience across a widely-distributed publishing ecosystem, while offering publishers the flexibility for customized content. This model creates shared responsibility for quality assurance, usability, portability, performance, accessibility, and security. The actions of one individual or department can affect the entire system. Therefore, expectations are set to ensure quality, manage risk, and present the DNW web content to users in the most effective ways.

The purpose of this policy is to establish basic requirements for use of DNW web resources by MGL, staff, student employees, or sub-contractors in a manner that maintains quality and appropriately reduces risk to the confidentiality, integrity, accessibility, and availability of DNW data, as well as the system. The requirements of this policy deal with DNW standards for web content, including visual identity, design and editorial quality, accessibility, management applications and databases, security, and advertising.

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Software application used to store, edit, and publish web pages, including html, text, photos, video, and other media via a series of managed templates. Digital Nomads World has adopted Go daddy and Vista Print  as its web CMS solution for the main  and WordPress as its solution for blogs.

Content Publisher

DNW representative with authorized access to the content management system who enters content (text, photos, video) into approved modules or templates, so that the information is in the office of Mission Group Live, LLC website.

Content Publishing Committee (CPC)

All content publishing leads, the core web team from Office of Information Technology (OIT), and select data custodians who meet monthly to provide user input to the Web Steering Committee.

Content Publishing Lead (CPL)

Content publishers with admin access to one or more subsites in the content management system. For larger sections of the website CPLs may coordinate several subsite managers within their section. CPLs serve as the communications conduit from leadership to the publishers in their group.

Content Owner

The person within Mission Group Live, LLC with primary responsibility for the content represented on the website. Content owners may not have CMS access in which case they work with a CPL or publisher to create online content.

Data Custodian

Supervisors authorize addition of users to the content management system, as well as CPL designations.

Domain

A domain name locates an organization or an entity on the Internet. In case of Mission Group Live, LLC and Digital Nomads World our domain name is Digital Nomads World.com. The domain name represents the labeling used to identify multiple server addresses under single umbrella, allowing nearly unlimited sub-domains. Websites that use a name that includes “ Digital Nomads World” are considered part of the domain.

Externally-Hosted Web Content

Digital Nomads World and Mission Group Live, LLC web content hosted by external service providers, managed through MGL owned contracts. ALL web content that is externally hosted is also governed by this policy.

Publishing Standards

Standards for content, design, and publishing are developed and maintained by the Web Steering Committee for the purposes of providing an integrated user experience, reasonable publishing flexibility, and consistent messaging, branding, and experience across DNW & MGL assets, as well as ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, security, and accessibility of content.

Digital Nomads World and Mission Group Live, LLC Websites

All pages and information served from the  domain and branded, externally-hosted web content that represent administrative and academic units of DNW are considered part of the DNW / MGL website, are assets, and should follow policies and procedures.

Digital Nomads World and Mission Group Live, LLC Web Content

Any information created by DNW, staff, or representative and published on websites to represent the work of the Brand. With the exception of intellectual property of the speakers,  which is licensed for use by the DNW and Speakers such content is owned by the Digital Nomads World and Mission Group alive, LLC.

Digital Nomads World and Mission Group Live, LLC Data

(Refer to Data Classification Policy)

Web Steering Committee (WSC)

An advisory group reporting to the Partners provides overall governance for the DNW web presence, including but not limited to  www.DigitalNomadsWorld.com and its subdomains, and related media channels such as social media, blogs, and video. The WSC is responsible for creating, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures to guide:

• Architecture

• Strategies for distribution of and access to web content

• Web-based marketing and positioning

• Use of the content management systems

• Content migration

• Editorial, design, branding, and sub-branding considerations

• Security and risk management

• Training and leadership of content publishers

• Quality assurance

• Performance and measurement

• Tracking and evaluation

The WSC is led by the Partners. The group meets monthly to manage ongoing operations and maintains contact intermittently as needed to resolve urgent issues.

Section 1. All content publishers will abide by standards designed to assure quality, performance, usability, accessibility, and security. Content publishers will be provided training and on-going support to effectively use designated tools and standards. Content publishers and owners will be notified if standards are not being met to allow the timely remediation of issues.

Section 2. Content must pass review for quality assurance, including load times, presentation, and security risks, as part of the WSC’s Quality Assurance Process prior to publishing. On-going security and performance review, as well as periodic content and design review, will monitor live content and problems. Issues of concern will be raised with the content publisher and owner so they may be promptly addressed.

Section 3. All digital assets should comply with all applicable laws and policies regarding Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademarks. Links to original sources should be provided where possible.

Section 4. Special web applications and databases presented on the site will adhere to standards referenced in this policy. Applications that rely on university data, including confidential, official-use-only, and unrestricted data (see Data Classification Policy) will follow appropriate requirements. WSC is the determining authority on what content can be hosted on university assets. Applications deemed by WSC to pose security risks, hinder performance, or confuse users will not be hosted. All approved integrations with third-party vendors should have a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) on file with the contract and with a copy to WSC. Accessibility requirements language per Section 8 must be included in applicable contracts.

Section 5. External hosted DNW web content should be explicitly reviewed and approved by the WSC, following review of unique requirements that would warrant such hosting. All approved third-party vendors should have a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) on file with the contract and with a copy to WSC. Accessibility requirements language per Section 8 must be included in applicable contracts.

Section 6. Content that is linked from the DNW website to another entity or organization’s site should clearly identify a departure from DNW / MGL pages. Non-business  web content should not use or replicate the DNW / MGL templates in a manner that confuses content ownership.

Section 7. Mission Group Live, LLC is a for profit organization and is strictly limited in terms of accepting advertising revenue that would compromise its non-profit status for tax purposes. As such, advertising is not appropriate for any part of the site. (See Advertising Policy.) In addition, messages that imply university endorsement should be avoided. Links to partners and affiliates should be provided as

resources, and should avoid advertisement or official endorsement. It’s suggested that multiple references be available where possible to reduce the implication of endorsement.

Section 8. DNW is committed to ensuring equal access to information, programs, and activities through its websites for its participants in DNW programs. To that end, all content published on its website or subdomains, including content externally hosted on behalf of DNW,  will strive to maintain accessibility standards as defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Conformance Level AA or website content and functionality be made available to users in an equally effective accessible alternative manner. WSC will provide resources and specific guidelines to help content owners and publishers create accessible content and will be the final authority on the DNW application of accessibility standards.

Web Steering Committee

WSC establishes governance mechanisms for use of DNW web resources, including policies, procedures, and standards for web content and publishing; leads working groups managing development of new features; and monitors migration of content to site.

DNW  Communications and Marketing 

provides standards for design, editorial, visual identity, digital media, and advertising, as well as leadership for the DNW website and digital strategy. 

Office of Information Technology (OIT)

OIT provides management and development of the application environment and related infrastructure used to run the university’s website and publish DNW web content. OIT is also responsible for ensuring performance, availability, and the on-going monitoring and assessment of issues related to security and accessibility of the university website (refer to Service Level Agreement for CommonSpot).

Design

DNW web pages maintain an integrated user experience and cohesive branding across websites through standards available to content publishers through the UCM Resources and Guides, as well as on the Content Publisher Tools resources for Content Publishers within the CMS.

Editorial

Content presented on DNW websites should maintain the designated style and voice to accurately portray the personality and brand of the DNW. Guidance is available to content publishers in the Media Tool Kit and Best Practices provided by MGL, LLC.

Digital Media

Performance and quality of digital media, including photos, graphics, and video, ensure functionality and optimal user experience on websites. Guidance is available to content publishers through the MGL, LLC Resources and Guides.

Quality Assurance: Content

Content owners and content publishers are responsible for maintaining content that is relevant, accurate, and timely. Publishers should ensure proper maintenance and follow all published university standards of form and content. An annual review cycle is required for proper content upkeep. Content publishers and owners will review content each year to determine if updates are needed or if content should be archived or deleted. DNW may notify content publishers and owners of content that has not been reviewed in a year or more to request its immediate evaluation.

All content must also be accessible per Section 8. Quarterly accessibility scans will be used to determine potential areas of risk in terms of accessibility and shared with CPLs for immediate remediation.

Quality Assurance: Security and Performance

DNW web servers are regularly monitored for security vulnerabilities and performance. Web pages that are identified as vulnerable or causing server performance issues may be deactivated until the areas of concern are addressed. Software upgrades, new application features, and major site releases will be tested in the quality assurance server environment to prevent the introduction of poor performing or vulnerable web resources.

Policy effective Thursday, December 2nd, 2021

.Policy last reviewed Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 no updates. 

Policy reviewed and updated December 2nd, 2021