Find a Standard
Here you can find the most recent version of each IM/IT standard. These standards apply to all ministries and provincial agencies.
You may notice gaps in the numbering, this is because some standards become obsolete over time.
More detail can be found for each standard in the detail column.
1. Appropriate Use
| # | Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.01 |
Web Traffic Filtering |
Websense is an internet web traffic filtering and tracking solution offered by SSBC | All outbound web based network traffic |
Outline (PDF) |
| 1.02 | Guidelines on the Use of Open Source Software | Guidelines to help inform decision makers when the use of Open Source Software packages are being considered. | Ministries and Agencies when considering the procurement of software for the Province of British Columbia. | Guidelines (PDF) |
| 1.03 | Electronic Signatures Guide |
Guide that provides a common starting point in navigating the requirements to build electronic signature solutions. |
Ministry policy and technical teams considering moving signature processes online. |
(PDF) |
2. Software Development
| # | Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.01 |
Development Standards for Information Systems |
Mandates terms and conditions for the ministry use and management of requirements | The development and maintenance of information systems |
Standard (PDF) |
| 2.02 | REST API Development | Mandates the use of a specific software architecture style (REST) for public facing Application Programming Interfaces. | All public facing application software programming interfaces. | Standard (PDF) |
3. Information Management
| # | Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.01 |
Data Administration |
Provides minimum criteria for data management | General information management | Standard (PDF) |
| 3.02 | Guidelines for Best Practices in Data Management – Roles and Responsibilities | The roles and responsibilities described here reflect best practices for data management within the Province of British Columbia. From a business context, these concepts provide foundational support for improving information access and sharing both internally within government and to the public. | Management of data sets. | Guidelines (PDF) |
| 3.03 | Mailing & Delivery Address Data | Standards for addresses are useful for the collection and exchange of mailing, delivery and residential address information | The collection, presentation and exchange of citizen and business address information | Standard (PDF) |
| 3.04 | Physical Address & Geocoding | Geocoding is the process of determining the geographic position (coordinates) of a location from it’s physical address | During the development of the conceptual models of information systems that handle geocoding information | Outline (PDF) |
| 3.05 | Date & Time | Consistent date and time standards mitigate risk, enable information sharing and interoperability and improve efficiencies between IM/IT systems | Computer-generated display date and time formats, with the exception of Provincial correspondence | Outline (PDF) |
| 3.06 | Document & Records Mgmt | Enterprise Document and Records Management Systems (EDRMS) are integrated software solutions used for managing documents and records from creation to disposition | Physical and electronic records management |
Outline (PDF) Memo |
| 3.07 | Aboriginal Administrative Data | Government should be consistent in the way Aboriginal citizens are identified | The delivery of services and programs designed to improve the socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal persons | Outline (PDF) |
| 3.08 | Raster Data | Typically related to geography, a raster is a matrix of cells (pixels) organized into a grid where each cells contains a value representing information (e.g. temperature) | When using or creating raster data (raster cell origin, shape and size) |
Outline (PDF) |
| 3.09 | Open Data—Physical Dataset | Open Dataset are files that contain machine-processable information that is accessible by the public | When publishing open datasets | Outline (PDF) |
| 3.10 | Digitizing Government Information | This standard provides a defensible approach to transforming government information from physical to digital formats. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
4. Identity Management
| # | Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.02 | BCeID | BCeID provides an electronic identity that makes it possible for citizens to access government services using a single identifier and password | Information systems with requirements for authenticated identity information |
Outline (PDF) Memo (PDF) |
| 4.03 | Identity Card – Physical Characteristics | Provides technical specifications for multi-function identity cards for B.C. public service employees, contractors, and visitors | Any initiative for a common identity card for government employees | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.04 | Identity Assurance | Provides a framework for establishing trust and confidence between parties issuing and receiving identity claims | Business processes and information systems with requirements for identity assurance | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.05 | Evidence of Identity | Re-introduces the Identification Levels set out in the Identity Assurance Standard and sets evidence of identity, registration and operational diligence standards for establishing an individual’s identity | Business processes and information systems with requirements for identity assurance | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.06 | Electronic Credential & Authentication |
Specifies the requirements for issuing, managing and authenticating electronic credentials to differing levels of strength. Supports the Identity Assurance Standard |
Business processes and information systems with requirements for identity assurance | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.08 | Claims Information | Explains how to define and use claims, and provides definitions for the core set of claims related to the Identity Information Reference Model | Business processes and information systems with requirements for identity assurance | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.09 | Claims Technology | Sets the standards and profiles related to several open standard protocol specifications. Also describes standards for security controls and logon user experience to promote secure and usable implementations | Information systems with requirements for identity assurance | Outline (PDF) |
| 4.10 | Identity Information Reference Model | This document introduces an Identity Information Reference Model that describes the key identity-related elements that are common in identification processes across government and illustrates how those elements can be used in different contexts such as professional, business, or employment | Business processes and information systems with requirements for identity assurance | PDF File |
| 4.11 | Identity Information Management Architecture Summary |
This document provides a summary overview of the base architecture for the BC Provincial Identity Information Management System (IDIM) |
System integrators and other IT service providers in the preparation of responses to Request For Proposal opportunities |
5. IT Management
| Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.05 | Integration Broker |
Specifies the approved integration brokers for the Province. Consist of a standard and guidelines. |
Applies to ministries with a requirement for an on-premises integration broker. Applies, optionally, to the broader public sector. |
|
| 5.08 | Network to Network Connectivity (3PG) | Defines the connectivity requirements that must be addressed with respect to the connection between disparate networks | All network-to-network connections between SPAN/BC and external networks |
Outline (PDF) Memo (PDF) Standard (PDF) |
| 5.09 | Wireless Local Area Network Security | Specifies the configuration parameters required for establishing a Secure Wireless Local Area Network | Facilities that provide wireless access to provincial network infrastructure |
Outline (PDF) Standard (PDF) |
| 5.10 | Critical Systems | Provided system management requirements for critical systems. | Any system deemed critical. | Standard (PDF) |
| 5.11 | Critical Systems Guidelines | Supplement to the Critical Systems Standard | Any system deemed critical. | Guidelines (PDF) |
6. IT Security
| # | Standard | Description | Applies to | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.04 | Interim Standards for Information Systems Security & Network Connectivity | Specifies government authentication (Siteminder, IDIR, BCeID), security & privacy, application security and network connectivity standards | Design of any government solution using technology |
Memo (PDF) Outline (PDF) |
| 6.06 |
IT Asset Disposal |
IT assets should be disposed of securely in order to protect any sensitive data that may reside on them | All IT assets proposed for disposal | Process (URL) |
| 6.10 | Cryptographic | Provides minimum requirements for the cryptographic means used to protect information in transit, in storage and in process |
IT assets handling sensitive information Is applied based on the results of an STRA |
Standard (PDF) |
| 6.11 | Security Threat and Risk Assessment | Defines requirements for a Security Threat and Risk Assessment (STRA) of a government information system | Government information systems |
Standard |
| 6.12 | Physical Security | Provides minimum standards for the design, development and construction of telecommunications equipment rooms | Facilities housing Ethernet switches, routers and government owned telecommunications assets. | Outline (PDF) |
| 6.13 | Network Security Zone | Describes important information pertaining to the segmentation of the Province’s network for organization deploying application on that infrastructure | IT assets deployed on the Province’s network infrastructure |
Outline (PDF) Memo (PDF) Standard (PDF) |
| 6.14 | Application & Web Development & Deployment | Describes the mandatory security practices for the development, deployment and/or maintenance of network facing applications | IT assets deployed on the Province’s network infrastructure | Outline (PDF) |
| 6.15 | Mobile Device Security | Standards for the protection of information on mobile devices | Any mobile device used to access, process or store BC Government information |
Standard (PDF) |
| 6.16 | Database Security Standard for Information Protection (DSSIP) | Standard for the protection of databases. | All databases. |
Standard (PDF) FAQs |
| 6.17 | Information Security | This standard has been replaced by lines 6.19 through to 6.33, below. | This standard has been replaced by lines 6.19 through to 6.33, below. | See lines 6.19-6.33 |
| 6.18 | Information Security Classification | Specifies a common standard for security classification of government information (as defined under the Information Management Act). | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. |
Standard (PDF) |
| 6.19 | Information Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying the broad spectrum of information security activities in the life-cycle of information systems. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.20 | Mobile Computing Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Mobile Computing related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.21 | Teleworking Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Teleworking related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.22 | Human Resource Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Human Resource related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.23 | Asset Management Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Asset Management related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.24 | Access Control Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Access Control related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.25 | Cryptographic Controls Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Cryptographic Controls related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.26 | Physical and Environmental Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Physical and Environmental Security related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.27 | Operations Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Operations Security related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.28 | Communications Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Communications Security related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.29 | System Acquisition Development and Maintenance Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying System Acquisition Development and Maintenance related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.30 | Supplier Relationships and Cloud Computing Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Supplier Relationships and Cloud Computing related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.31 | Information Security Incident Management Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Information Security Incident Management related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.32 | Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Information Security Aspects of Business Continuity Management related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. | Standard (PDF) |
| 6.33 | Compliance Security | This standard provides a structured approach to identifying Compliance related information security activities. | Applies to all of core government and to all contracted service providers conducting business on behalf of government. |
Standard (PDF) |
| 6.34 | Vulnerability Management Scanning | This standard establishes a common understanding of the roles and responsibilities for vulnerability scanning. The intent is to manage security risks associated with known vulnerabilities. | This standard applies to all government organizations (ministries, agencies, boards and commissions) that use government information technology services. | Standard (PDF) Guideline (PDF) |
