N.D. Cent. Code § 54-59-09

Based on information from state agencies and institutions, the department and the office of management and budget shall develop statewide information technology policies, standards, and guidelines. The policies, standards, and guidelines must recognize the uniqueness of certain agencies and state which agencies are included or exempted from the policies, standards, and guidelines. Each executive branch state agency and institution, excluding the institutions under the control of the board of higher education, shall comply with the policies and standards developed by the department and the office of management and budget unless the chief information officer exempts an agency from the policies, standards, and guidelines to address situations unique to that agency. Unless an exemption is granted by the chief information officer, each entity receiving wide area network services provided by the department shall comply with the policies and standards developed by the department with respect to access to or use of wide area network services.