[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70561-70562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27127]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Agency Information Collection Activities: Vulnerability Discovery 
Program

AGENCY: Officer of the Chief Information Security Officer, Department 
of Homeland Security.

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments; New Collection, 1601-
NEW.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief 
Information Security Officer, DHS will submit the following information 
collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for

[[Page 70562]]

review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995. DHS previously published this information collection request 
(ICR) in the Federal Register on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 for a 60-
day public comment period. Two (2) comments were received by DHS. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow additional 30-days for public 
comments.

DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until January 22, 
2020. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to OMB Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security and sent 
via electronic mail to [email protected].
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information 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 of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Security vulnerabilities, defined in section 
102(17) of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, are any 
attribute of hardware, software, process, or procedure that could 
enable or facilitate the defeat of a security control. Security 
vulnerability mitigation is a process starting with discovery of the 
vulnerability leading to applying some solution to resolve the 
vulnerability. There is constantly a search for security 
vulnerabilities within information systems, from individuals or nation 
states wishing to bypass security controls to gain invaluable 
information, to researchers seeking knowledge in the field of cyber 
security. Bypassing such security controls in the DHS information 
systems can cause catastrophic damage including but not limited to loss 
in Personally Identifiable Information (PII), sensitive information 
gathering, and data manipulation.
    Pursuant to section 101 of the Strengthening and Enhancing Cyber-
capabilities by Utilizing Risk Exposure Technology Act commonly known 
as the SECURE Technologies Act individuals, organizations, and 
companies will be able to submit discovered security vulnerabilities on 
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Systems. This 
collection would be used by these individuals, organizations, and 
companies who choose to submit a discovered vulnerability in the 
information system of the DHS.
    The form will include the following essential information:

 Vulnerable host(s)
 Necessary information for reproducing the security 
vulnerability
 Remediation or suggestions for remediation of the 
vulnerability
 Potential impact on host, if not remediated

    This form will allow the DHS to do two things (1) allow the 
individuals, organizations, and companies who discover vulnerabilities 
in the information systems of DHS to report their findings to the DHS. 
(2) give DHS first insight into newly discovered vulnerabilities, as 
well as zero-day vulnerabilities in order to mitigate the security 
issues prior to malicious actors acting on the vulnerability for 
malicious intent. The form will benefit researchers as it will provide 
a safe and lawful way for them to practice and discover new skills 
while discovering the vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, it will provide the 
same benefit to the DHS, in addition to enhanced information system 
security following the vulnerability mitigation.
    Respondents will be able to fill the form out online at https://www.dhs.gov and submit it thereafter. Links to the form will also be 
available at any of the DHS components websites (https://www.tsa.gov/, 
https://www.ice.gov/, etc.)
    The collection of this information regarding to discovered security 
vulnerabilities by individuals, organizations, and companies is needed 
to fulfil the congressional mandate in Section 101 of the SECURE 
Technologies Act regarding a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy. In 
addition, without the ability to collect information on newly 
discovered security vulnerabilities in DHS information systems, the DHS 
will rely solely on the internal security personnel and or discovery 
through post occurrence of such a breach on security controls.
    The is new collection.

Analysis

    Agency: The Department of Homeland Security, Officer of the Chief 
Information Security Officer.
    Title: Vulnerability Discovery Program.
    OMB Number: 1601--New.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Number of Respondents: 3000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 3 Hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 9000.

    Dated: December 3, 2019.
Melissa Bruce,
Executive Director, Business Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2019-27127 Filed 12-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9112-fl-P