County of Ventura has officially begun the process of transitioning its websites to a new .gov domain, venturacounty.gov, as part of a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring public trust in government services online.
This change complies with California State Assembly Bill 1637, passed in 2024, which mandates that all local municipalities adopt a .gov domain by 2029.
The transition is expected to significantly improve online security while offering Ventura County residents, businesses, and visitors a more reliable and verifiable source for government services and information.
“We are pleased to make this move to a .gov domain, which signals to our community that the County of Ventura is committed to cybersecurity and generating public trust,” said Terry Theobald, Chief Information Officer.
The .gov domain, which is exclusively reserved for government entities, establishes a clear digital identity that differentiates legitimate government websites from fraudulent or unofficial ones. By making this move, Ventura County joins state and federal efforts to create a safer, more transparent online presence for public agencies.
Enhancing Cybersecurity and Public Trust
One of the primary reasons for this transition is the increased cybersecurity protections provided by the .gov domain.
Managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, .gov domains include robust built-in security features that make it more difficult for cybercriminals to impersonate official websites.
These security measures help protect residents’ personal information and reduce the risk of cyberattacks such as phishing scams, where fraudulent websites attempt to steal sensitive data by mimicking legitimate government sites.
“Our new domain will provide an easily identifiable and reliable resource for anyone looking to interact with county government online,” said Terry.
Beyond its cybersecurity benefits, the .gov domain also plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust. With misinformation and online fraud on the rise, having a standardized, easily recognizable web address reassures residents that they are accessing accurate and official government information.
The shift to venturacounty.gov ensures that users can confidently engage with county services without worrying about counterfeit websites or misleading links.
WHAT TO EXPECT
According t the County Spokeswoman, Natalie Hernández, the migration to venturacounty.gov has been carefully planned to minimize disruptions to the public.
“Ventura County’s existing website, ventura.org, will remain accessible for the time being, and visitors will be automatically redirected to venturacounty.gov once the transition is fully implemented,” she said.
Hernández also stated that while old web addresses will continue to function, residents are encouraged to begin updating their bookmarks and saved links to reflect the new domain.
“To ensure a seamless transition, Ventura County is taking a phased approach to the migration,” she said.
Departments and agencies across the county are working closely with IT specialists to update web pages, databases, and online services while maintaining accessibility for residents. P
ublic outreach efforts will be undertaken to inform users of the changes, including updates on county websites, social media platforms, and official communications.
In addition to updating web addresses, the county will also be transitioning email communications to the new venturacounty.gov domain.
This means that county officials and employees will soon use email addresses ending in @venturacounty.gov instead of @ventura.org.
The shift in email domains will further strengthen cybersecurity efforts by making it easier for residents to verify official messages and reducing the likelihood of phishing attempts using fraudulent email accounts.
State and Federal Cybersecurity Initiatives
The adoption of the .gov domain is part of a broader effort to enhance digital security at all levels of government.
Cyber threats targeting local and state governments have increased in recent years, with incidents such as ransomware attacks and data breaches affecting public agencies nationwide.
By transitioning to a .gov domain, Ventura County aligns itself with best practices recommended by state and federal cybersecurity experts, Terry said.
Assembly Bill 1637 was introduced to ensure that all California municipalities take proactive steps to improve their online security.
The bill acknowledges that many local governments still rely on commercial domains such as .com, .org, or .net, which lack the security assurances of .gov.
The General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees .gov domain registrations, has actively encouraged local governments to make the transition and provides technical assistance to facilitate the process.
How Residents Can Prepare
While the transition to venturacounty.gov is designed to be as smooth as possible, Ventura County officials encourage residents and businesses to take proactive steps to familiarize themselves with the new domain. Once the migration is complete, individuals should:
– Update saved bookmarks and frequently used web links to reflect the new venturacounty.gov address.
– Be mindful of email communications from county officials and verify that messages come from @venturacounty.gov before responding or sharing personal information.
– Report any suspicious websites or emails claiming to represent Ventura County government but using unofficial domains.
County officials will continue to provide updates throughout the transition, and residents can expect ongoing communication regarding the changes. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, public health agencies, and other departments will ensure that information about the domain shift is widely disseminated.
A Step Toward a More Secure Digital Future
As the internet continues to evolve, ensuring the security and authenticity of government websites is more important than ever. The move to venturacounty.gov represents a major step forward in Ventura County’s commitment to digital security, transparency, and public trust. By adopting the .gov domain, the county strengthens its ability to serve residents safely and effectively in an increasingly digital world.
For more information about Ventura County’s website migration, visit,www. venturacounty.gov
