Notice2024-16855
Agency Information Collection Activities: VULNERABILITY DISCOVERY PROGRAM, OMB CONTROL NO. 1601-0028
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 31, 2024
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security Department
Abstract
The Department of Homeland Security will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61491-61492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16855]
[[Page 61491]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[Docket Number DHS-2024-0027]
Agency Information Collection Activities: VULNERABILITY DISCOVERY
PROGRAM, OMB CONTROL NO. 1601-0028
AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security will submit the following
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 30,
2024. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.1.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number Docket
# DHS-2024-0027, at:
[cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Please follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name
and docket number Docket # DHS-2024-2027. All comments received will be
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any
personal information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
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 and other Federal
Agencies 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/or
companies may submit any discovered security vulnerabilities found
associated with the information system of any Federal agency. This
collection is used by these individuals, organizations, and/or
companies who choose to submit a discovered vulnerability found
associated with the information system of any Federal agency.
Specifically, DHS and Federal cybersecurity agencies are working to
address vulnerabilities within DHS's components. While DHS had
previously obtained approval to collect this information on its own
behalf, recent cyberattacks and trends exploiting vulnerabilities have
exemplified the need to have this capability government-wide. In June
2023, a major and widespread cyberattack occurred by Russian
cybercriminals, that impacted multiple U.S. federal government
agencies. This was reported to be a result of cybercriminals exploiting
a vulnerability in widely used software known as MOVEit. Cybercriminals
gained the opportunity exploit the software that agencies use to
transfer data. This attack was reported to be widespread and allowed
for cybercriminals to break into multiple networks due to lack of
remediation. Impacted organizations included The Energy Department,
Johns Hopkins University, and University of Georgia. The MOVEit
exploitation appears to have affected at least 122 organizations and
exposed the data of roughly 15 million people. These numbers are based
on posts from CL0P, the Russian ransomware group that has claimed
responsibility for the attacks. This is just a single example among a
myriad of vulnerabilities and incidents that we strive to avoid.
Public Law 116-283, Sec. 1705 (which amended 44 U.S.C. 3553)
permits extensive sharing of information regarding cybersecurity and
the protection of information and information systems from
cybersecurity risks between Federal Agencies covered by the Federal
Information Security Modernization Act and the Department of Homeland
Security. This unique authority makes DHS well positioned to host the
approval of this information collection on behalf of other Federal
agencies
DHS is requesting pursuant to 44 US Code 33554(a)(1)(B), that the
information collection continue to be designated for any Federal
agency's ability to utilize the standardized DHS online Vulnerability
Disclosure Form to collect their own agency's vulnerability information
and post the information on their own agency websites.
DHS leverages the form to collect information about vulnerabilities
impacting DHS assets. The form includes the following: vulnerable
host(s), necessary information for reproducing the security
vulnerability, remediation or suggestions for remediation of the
vulnerability, and potential impact on host, if not remediated.
This form allows Federal agencies to complete the following
actions; (1) allow the individuals, organizations, and/or companies who
discover vulnerabilities in the information systems to report their
findings to the agency, and (2) provide the agencies initial insight
into any newly discovered vulnerabilities, as well as zero-day
vulnerabilities in order to mitigate the security issues prior to
malicious actors acting upon the vulnerability for malicious intent.
The form also benefits researchers and provides a safe and lawful
method to practice and discover new cyber methods to discover the
vulnerabilities. It provides the same benefit to Federal agencies and
promotes the enhancement of Federal information system security
policies.
Respondents may electively submit their information directly to the
agency in which they would like to report a vulnerability. Federal
Agencies provide the form electronically via their agency's website.
The information collected does not have an impact on small business or
other small entities.
The collection of this information is related to the discovery of
security vulnerabilities by individuals, organizations, and/or
companies is needed to fulfill the congressional mandate in Section 101
of the SECURE Technologies Act related to creating Vulnerability
Disclosure Policies. In addition, without the ability to collect
information on newly discovered security vulnerabilities associated
with Federal agency information systems, Federal agencies will rely
solely on the internal security personnel and/or the discovery through
a post occurrence breach of security controls.
There are no assurances of confidentiality provide. Any PII that is
collected is for the sole purpose of feedback and dialogue. This
information collection is covered by a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA),
DHS/ALL/PIA-006 DHS General Contacts List (June 15, 2007), and a System
of Records Notice, DHS/ALL-002 Department of
[[Page 61492]]
Homeland Security (DHS) Mailing and Other Lists System, 73 FR 71659
(November 25, 2008).
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.
Analysis
Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Title: VULNERABILITY DISCOVERY PROGRAM.
OMB Number: 1601-0028.
Frequency: Annually.
Affected Public: Individuals, Organizations, and/or Companies.
Number of Respondents: 3,000.
Estimated Time per Respondent: 3 hours.
Total Burden Hours: 9,000.
Robert Dorr,
Executive Director, Business Management Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2024-16855 Filed 7-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9112-FL-P
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