The State of CT requires all new executive-level websites be developed within the CT.gov domain. This includes all agency websites, microsites, service pages, knowledgebases, and other digital assets which require longevity of access for external users. The State does not recommend building any agency content within the .com, .net, or other commercially-driven domain systems for several reasons:
- Trusted Source. The .gov domain is recognized as the official domain for government agencies, which helps build trust and credibility with the public.
- Security Assurance. .Gov domains are subject to strict security standards, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and protecting sensitive information.
- Public Perception. Using a .gov domain signals to citizens that the website is an official, reliable source of government information.
- Easy to Find. The .gov domain is more likely to be prioritized in search engine results when people search for government-related information.
- Federal Support. .gov domains benefit from federal oversight, including cybersecurity resources and compliance with government regulations, ensuring the site meets all necessary standards.
- Maintenance and Stability. All agency assets built within the CT.gov ecosystem enjoy enterprise support from the State’s CMS management team.
- Enterprise Governance. CT.gov sites include standard training (provided to agencies) and ease of content updates. Anything built outside of this domain would require the agency to maintain two or more content systems and would also require them to continue paying for ownership of their commercial URL in perpetuity if they were to later move their site into the CT.gov domain.
