[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79148-79149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30569]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Department of Homeland Security--
Vulnerability Identification Self-Assessment Tool--Transportation (DHS-
VISAT-T)

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), OMB control number 1652-0037, abstracted below. TSA plans to 
submit the renewal request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the 
nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The 
collection involves the voluntary submission of information regarding 
currently deployed security measures, through a self-assessment tool, 
from transportation sectors so that TSA can prioritize resources.

DATES: Send your comments by February 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Ginger LeMay, Office 
of Information Technology, TSA-11, Transportation Security 
Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Giner LeMay at the above address, or 
by telephone (571) 227-3616 or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available 
at http://www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and 
approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting 
comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control No. 1652-0037; Department of Homeland Security--
Vulnerability Identification Self-Assessment Tool--Transportation (DHS-
VISAT-T). After its inception TSA faced the challenge of enhancing 
security in all modes within the transportation sector. A methodology 
was required to support inter- and intra-modal analysis and decision-
making. Millions of assets exist within the transportation sector, 
ranging from over 500,000 highway-bridges and approximately 4,000 mass 
transit agencies, to over 19,000 general aviation airports. Given this 
population of assets, in order to prioritize resources, TSA needs to 
continue to collect data from the asset owners or operators on security 
measures deployed and their effectiveness.
    In response to this need, TSA's Office of Intelligence/Risk Support 
Division developed the Department of Homeland Security--Vulnerability 
Identification Self-Assessment Tool--Transportation (DHS-VISAT-T), 
formerly called the TSA Self-Assessment Risk Module (TSARM), as a means 
to gather security-related data and provide a cost-free service to the 
transportation sector. TSA designed this tool to be flexible to support 
the unique characteristics of each transportation mode, while still 
providing a common framework from which analysis can be conducted and 
trends can be identified. Thus far, TSA has developed modules of the 
tool for maritime, mass transit, highway bridges, and rail passenger 
stations, with more in development.
    DHS-VISAT-T represents the U.S. Government's first self-assessment 
tool that guides a user through a series of security-related questions 
to develop a comprehensive baseline evaluation of a transit agency's 
current level of security. The tool provides the following features:

[[Page 79149]]

     The tool is provided to users at no cost;
     The tool is voluntary (potential users contact TSA to 
access the tool); and
     The tool is Web-based, easily accessible.
    Owners and operators within the transportation sector can access 
information and use the assessment tool by visiting TSA's Web site: 
http://www.tsa.gov. Select the ``Our Approach'' link at the top tab 
area, then the ``Risk Management'' link on the left listing, followed 
by the ``Risk Assessment Tools'' link at the bottom of the page under 
``Additional Information,'' and finally select one of the following 
links to the appropriate tool:
     Transportation Risk Assessment and Vulnerability 
Evaluation Tool.
     Maritime Vulnerability Identification Self-Assessment 
Tool.
     Mass Transit Vulnerability Identification Self-Assessment 
Tool.
    Upon completion of the tool assessment, users receive a report that 
summarizes their inputs. They may then use this report to develop a 
security plan or to identify areas of potential vulnerability. Users 
have the option to submit the completed assessment to DHS. If 
submitted, DHS reviews the assessment for consistency and provides 
feedback to the users. The submission is treated as Sensitive Security 
Information pursuant to 49 CFR part 1520 and protected accordingly.
    TSA is seeking OMB approval to renew this control number for the 
maximum three-year period to continue to provide this tool to 
transportation owners and operators so that owners and operators will 
have the benefits of using the tool, and TSA will have information 
useful to identifying the most significant risks.
    Based on experience to date, TSA expects that approximately 1,000 
persons will use the tool annually. The total estimated annual burden 
hours will be 8,000 based on an estimated 8 hours per respondent.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on December 18, 2008.
Ginger LeMay,
Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Business Improvements and 
Communications, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. E8-30569 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
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