[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47482-47483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21976]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Multistakeholder Process on Internet of Things Security 
Upgradability and Patching

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) will convene a virtual meeting of a multistakeholder process on 
Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching on November 8, 
2017. This is the sixth in a series of meetings. For information on 
prior meetings, see Web site address below.

DATES: The virtual meeting will be held on November 8, 2017, from 2:00 
p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. See Supplementary Information for 
details.

ADDRESSES: This is a virtual meeting. NTIA will post links to online 
content and dial-in information on the multistakeholder process Web 
site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allan Friedman, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 4725, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-4281; email: [email protected]. Please 
direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs: (202) 482-
7002; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: In March of 2015, the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration issued a Request for Comment to ``identify 
substantive cybersecurity issues that affect the digital ecosystem and 
digital economic growth where broad consensus, coordinated action, and 
the development of best practices could substantially improve security 
for organizations and consumers.'' \1\ We received comments from a 
range of stakeholders, including trade associations, large companies, 
cybersecurity startups, civil society organizations and independent 
computer security experts.\2\ The comments recommended a diverse set of 
issues that might be addressed through the multistakeholder process, 
including cybersecurity policy and practice in the

[[Page 47483]]

emerging area of Internet of Things (IoT).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ U.S. Department of Commerce, Internet Policy Task Force, 
Request for Public Comment, Stakeholder Engagement on Cybersecurity 
in the Digital Ecosystem, 80 FR 14360, Docket No. 150312253-5253-01 
(Mar. 19, 2015), available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/cybersecurity_rfc_03192015.pdf.
    \2\ NTIA has posted the public comments received at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2015/comments-stakeholder-engagement-cybersecurity-digital-ecosystem.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In a separate but related matter in April 2016, NTIA, the 
Department's Internet Policy Task Force, and its Digital Economy 
Leadership Team sought comments on the benefits, challenges, and 
potential roles for the government in fostering the advancement of the 
Internet of Things.'' \3\ Over 130 stakeholders responded with comments 
addressing many substantive issues and opportunities related to IoT.\4\ 
Security was one of the most common topics raised. Many commenters 
emphasized the need for a secure lifecycle approach to IoT devices that 
considers the development, maintenance, and end-of-life phases and 
decisions for a device.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ U.S. Department of Commerce, Internet Policy Task Force, 
Request for Public Comment, Benefits, Challenges, and Potential 
Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the 
Internet of Things, 81 FR 19956, Docket No. 160331306-6306-01 (April 
5, 2016), available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/rfc-potential-roles-government-fostering-advancement-internet-of-things.
    \4\ NTIA has posted the public comments received at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/comments-potential-roles-government-fostering-advancement-internet-of-things.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After reviewing these comments, NTIA announced that the next 
multistakeholder process on cybersecurity would be on IoT security 
upgradability and patching.\5\ NTIA subsequently announced that the 
first meeting of a multistakeholder process on this topic would be held 
on October 19, 2016.\6\ NTIA has convened five subsequent virtual or 
in-person meetings.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ NTIA, Increasing the Potential of IoT through Security and 
Transparency (Aug. 2, 2016), available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/blog/2016/increasing-potential-iot-through-security-and-transparency.
    \6\ NTIA, Notice of Multistakeholder Process on Internet of 
Things Security Upgradability and Patching Open Meeting (Sept. 15, 
2016), available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2016/10192016-meeting-notice-msp-iot-security-upgradability-patching.
    \7\ Federal Register Notices, Agendas, and Documents of these 
meetings are available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The matter of patching vulnerable systems is now an accepted part 
of cybersecurity.\8\ Unaddressed technical flaws in systems leave the 
users of software and systems at risk. The nature of these risks 
varies, and mitigating these risks requires various efforts from the 
developers and owners of these systems. One of the more common means of 
mitigation is for the developer or other maintaining party to issue a 
security patch to address the vulnerability. Patching has become more 
commonly accepted, even for consumers, as more operating systems and 
applications shift to visible reminders and automated updates. Yet as 
one security expert notes, this evolution of the software industry has 
yet to become the dominant model in IoT.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See, e.g. Murugiah Souppaya and Karen Scarfone, Guide to 
Enterprise Patch Management Technologies, Special Publication 800-40 
Revision 3, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST SP 
800-40 (2013) available at: http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-40r3.pdf.
    \9\ Bruce Schneier, The Internet of Things Is Wildly Insecure--
And Often Unpatchable, Wired (Jan. 6, 2014) available at: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2014/01/security_risks_9.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To help realize the full innovative potential of IoT, users need 
reasonable assurance that connected devices, embedded systems, and 
their applications will be secure. A key part of that security is the 
mitigation of potential security vulnerabilities in IoT devices or 
applications through patching and security upgrades.
    The ultimate objective of the multistakeholder process is to foster 
a market offering more devices and systems that support security 
upgrades through increased consumer awareness and understanding. 
Enabling a thriving market for patchable IoT requires common 
definitions so that manufacturers and solution providers have shared 
visions for security, and consumers know what they are purchasing. 
Currently, no such common, widely accepted definitions exist, so many 
manufacturers struggle to effectively communicate to consumers the 
security features of their devices. This is detrimental to the digital 
ecosystem as a whole, as it does not reward companies that invest in 
patching and it prevents consumers from making informed purchasing 
choices.
    Stakeholders have identified four distinct work streams that could 
help foster better security across the ecosystem, one of which has 
produced a consensus document.\10\ The main objectives of the November 
8, 2017, meeting are to share progress from the continuing working 
groups and potentially come to consensus around final products. 
Stakeholders will also discuss how the outputs of the different work 
streams can complement each other, and what next steps will be in 
promoting awareness and use of the outputs. More information about 
stakeholders' work is available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Documents shared by working group stakeholders are 
available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Time and Date: NTIA will convene a virtual meeting of the 
multistakeholder process on Internet of Things Security Upgradability 
and Patching on November 8, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern 
Time. The meeting date and time are subject to change. Please refer to 
NTIA's Web site, https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security, for the most current 
information.
    Place: This is a virtual meeting. NTIA will post links to online 
content and dial-in information on the multistakeholder process Web 
site at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
    Other Information: The meeting is open to the public and the press. 
There will be an opportunity for stakeholders viewing the webcast to 
participate remotely in the meeting through a moderated conference 
bridge, including polling functionality. Access details for the meeting 
are subject to change. Please refer to NTIA's Web site, https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security, for the most current information.
    The meeting is also accessible to people with disabilities. 
Individuals requiring accommodations, such as other auxiliary aids, are 
asked to notify Allan Friedman at the contact information listed above 
at least seven (7) business days prior to the meeting.

    Dated: October 5, 2017.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-21976 Filed 10-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P