[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69741-69742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29394]


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THE PRESIDENT'S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION BOARD


National Strategy To Secure Cyberspace

November 14, 2002.
AGENCY: President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, Executive 
Office of the President, The White House.

ACTION: Notice of request for ongoing public comment regarding the 
National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace for comment, notwithstanding the 
public comment deadline of September 18, 2002.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the President's charge in Executive Order 12321, 
the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board (the 
``Board'') has been engaged in development of the National Strategy to 
Secure Cyberspace. On September 18, 2002, the Board released to the 
public a draft of the Strategy ``For Comment'' (the ``Strategy''). The 
Strategy was made available online at http:/www.securecyberspace.gov 
for viewing and downloading. At the time of the release of the 
Strategy, the Board invited public comments and set a deadline of 
November 18, 2002 for such comments. On Oct 11, 2002, through a Federal 
Register Notice, the Board issued a formal public notice soliciting 
further comments and views from the public on the Strategy, and 
reiterated the public comment deadline of November 18, 2002. It was 
noted from the first that--due to the fact that cyberspace security 
operates in a dynamic landscape where the nature of the threats, 
solutions, technology, applications and other factors are subject to 
rapid and sometimes dramatic change ``America's cyberstrategy must be 
dynamic and continually refreshed to adapt to the changing 
environment.'' Thus, because the development of the National Strategy 
to Secure Cyberspace is an ongoing, iterative process, the Board has 
indicated all along that the Strategy will be a dynamic, evolutionary 
document, one that will include a formal official release and 
subsequent, periodic updated versions. As a result, the public dialogue 
will continue to be interactive, and additional public comments will be 
welcome and considered first not only following the November 18, 2002 
date, but also after the release of the first official version of the 
Strategy. Comments will be considered in a timely manner and, as 
appropriate, will be reflected into the evolving Strategy at the 
earliest possible date. There is no guarantee, however, that comments 
submitted after the November 18, 2002 deadline will be considered for 
the current draft of the strategy. Comments not considered for this 
draft may be reflected in subsequent drafts.

DATES: Comments are invited on an ongoing basis.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically as provided at 
http://www.securecyberspace.gov. In addition, written comments may be 
sent to: PCIPB/ Strategy Public Comment; The White House; Washington, 
DC 20502. Individual hard copies of the draft Strategy may be obtained 
by calling 202-456-5420.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tommy Cabe 202-456-5420.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 16, 2001, the President created 
the Board by Executive Order 12321. The President noted that ``[t]he 
information technology revolution has changed the way business is 
transacted, government operates, and national defense is conducted. 
Those three functions now depend on an interdependent network of 
critical information infrastructures.'' In the Executive Order, the 
President directed the Board to ``recommend policies and coordinate 
programs for protecting information systems for critical 
infrastructure,'' and called for the Board to ``coordinate outreach to 
and consultation with the private sector, * * * State and local 
governments, [and] communities and representatives from academia and 
other relevant elements of society.''
    Pursuant to the President's charge, the Board has been engaged in 
development of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace. On September 
18, 2002, the Board released to the public a draft Strategy ``For 
Comment,'' identifying 24 strategic goals and listing over 80 
recommendations. The Strategy was made available online at http://

[[Page 69742]]

www.securecyberspace.gov for viewing and downloading.
    The Strategy was developed based on input from a broad spectrum of 
individuals and groups that represent the owners and operators of 
cyberspace, as well as from the key sectors that rely on cyberspace, 
including Federal departments and agencies, private companies, State 
and local governments, educational institutions, nongovernmental 
organizations, and the general public. Town hall meetings to facilitate 
discussion and stimulate input were held during the spring in Denver, 
Chicago, Portland Oregon, and Atlanta and this month in Philadelphia. 
In addition, a list of 53 key questions was compiled, published, and 
publicized to spark public debate and facilitate informed input. The 
Board has convened additional town hall meetings around the country in 
recent weeks to raise awareness about cybersecurity issues, and to 
solicit and receive the views and input of concerned citizens regarding 
the Strategy. Town hall meetings were held in Boston, MA (October 14), 
Pittsburgh, PA (October 24), and New York, NY (November 7), and will be 
held in Phoenix, AZ (November 14). For further information about 
specific town hall meetings, see http://www.securecyberspace.gov.
    At the time of the release of the Strategy and in a subsequent 
Federal Register notice, the Board invited public comments and set a 
deadline of November 18, 2002 for such comments. While the official 
comment period will end on November 18th, because the development of 
the Strategy is an iterative, ongoing process that will include a 
formal release and subsequent updates, this notice invites additional 
input because of a recognition that such input will be invaluable for 
making the strategy even more effective. This reflects recognition of 
the importance of an ongoing exchange of views, discussion, and input 
regarding the cyber strategy and the issues it addresses. At a minimum 
the Strategy must continue to evolve to address changing technologies 
and to respond appropriately as we better understand the effectiveness 
of the measures taken and other lessons learned.
    By this Notice, the Board solicits further comments and views from 
the public on the draft Strategy and the first and subsequent official 
releases of the Strategy, notwithstanding the November 18, 2002 
deadline. The Board will consider all comments and, as appropriate, 
reflect those comments as appropriate into the initial or subsequent 
versions of the official Strategy. There is no guarantee, however, that 
comments submitted after the November 18, 2002 deadline will be 
considered for the current draft of the strategy. Comments not 
considered for this draft will be reflected in subsequent drafts.
    The most efficient way to provide public comment is to do so online 
through the feedback link at http://www.securecyberspace.gov. In order 
to facilitate review and consideration of public comment, commenters 
are requested to use this electronic feedback link if at all possible. 
Comments will also be accepted if mailed to the postal address listed 
below, but it is requested that such commenters also provide an 
electronic version of their comments as well as the hard copy (e.g., CD 
or floppy disc) if possible. In addition, it is requested that all 
commenters, including those submitting their comments in hard copy form 
rather than online, make every effort to organize the comments by 
reference to specific sections of the Strategy and if applicable) the 
numbered recommendation or discussion topic commented upon.
    Those preferring to submit their comments by hard copy (preferably 
with an accompanying electronic version of the comment) should send 
them to: PCIPB/ Strategy Public Comment; The White House; Washington, 
DC 20502. The Board will consider all relevant comments in the further 
development of the Strategy. However, there are no plans to respond 
individually to each comment.

    Dated: November 14, 2002.
Richard A. Clarke,
Chair, President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board.
[FR Doc. 02-29394 Filed 11-18-02; 8:45 am]
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