[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 37631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18415]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE


Specifications for Information Based Indicia Program ``Key 
Management Plan''

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of proposed specifications with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Historically, postage meters have been mechanical and 
electromechanical devices that (1) maintain through mechanical or 
electronic ``registers'' (postal security devices) an account of all 
postage printed and the remaining balance of prepaid postage, and (2) 
print postage postmarks (indicia) that are accepted by the Postal 
Service as evidence of the prepayment of postage. A proposed 
specification has been developed on these subjects, and is entitled 
``Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) Key Management Plan 
(Draft).'' The IBIP Key Management Plan is a document intended to 
provide information pertaining to the life cycle of the cryptographic 
keys used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) Information Based 
Indicia Program (IBIP). The U.S. Postal Service is seeking comments on 
this specification.
    The Postal Service also seeks comments on intellectual property 
issues raised by the Key Management Plan if adopted in present form. If 
an intellectual property issue includes patents or patent applications 
covering any implementations of the specifications, the comment should 
include a listing of such patents and applications and the license 
terms available for such patents and applications.

DATES: Comments on the Key Management Plan must be received on or 
before October 14, 1997. Comments addressing intellectual property 
issues must be received on or before August 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Key Management Plan may be obtained from: 
Terry Goss, United States Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 
8430, Washington DC 20260-6807. Mail or deliver written comments to: 
Manager, Metering Technology Management, United States Postal Service, 
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 8430, Washington DC 20260-6807. Copies of 
all written comments may be inspected and photocopied between 9 a.m. 
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Goss, (202) 268-3757.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Information Based Indicia Program (IBIP) 
is a Postal Service initiative supporting the development and 
implementation of a new form of postage indicia. An ``IBIP Postal 
Security Device'' provides cryptographic signature, financial 
accounting, indicium creation, device authorization, and audit 
functions.
    The goal for IBIP is to provide an environment in which customers 
can apply postage through new technologies that improve postal revenue 
security. This requires a new form of postage indicia and the adoption 
of standards to facilitate industry investment and product development.
    The Key Management Plan is used to define the generation, 
distribution, use, and replacement of the cryptographic keys used by 
the USPS, Product/Service Providers, and Postal Security Devices (see 
61 FR 34460, July 2, 1996). The management of cryptographic keys is the 
most critical function associated with cryptographic security. Security 
afforded by the cryptographic algorithms in use cannot be guaranteed if 
the cryptographic keys are not generated, disseminated, stored, used, 
and ultimately destroyed in a secure manner. The intent of this Key 
Management Plan is to address all of these issues with respect to IBIP.
    It is emphasized that this proposed draft standard is being 
published for comment and is subject to final definition.
    Although exempt from the notice and comments requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553 (b),) regarding 
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites 
public comments on the proposed specification.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 97-18415 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P