81 FR 64139 - Multistakeholder Process on Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 181 (September 19, 2016)

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will convene meetings of a multistakeholder process concerning Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching. This Notice announces the first meeting, which is scheduled for October 19, 2016.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64139-64141]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22459]


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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.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) will convene meetings of a multistakeholder process concerning 
Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching. This Notice 
announces the first meeting, which is scheduled for October 19, 2016.

DATES: The meeting will be held on October 19, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 
4:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Trinity Ballroom at the 
Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Boulevard, Austin, Texas 
78759.

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

[[Page 64140]]

opportunities related to IoT.\4\ Security was one of the most common 
topics raised.
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    \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.
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    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. On August 2, 2016, after 
reviewing these comments, NTIA announced that the next multistakeholder 
process on cybersecurity would be on IoT security upgradability and 
patching.\5\
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    \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.
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    The matter of patching vulnerable systems is now an accepted part 
of cybersecurity.\6\ 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.\7\
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    \6\ 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.
    \7\ 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.
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    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.
    The immediate goal of this process will be to develop a broad, 
shared definition or set of definitions around security upgradability 
for consumer IoT, as well as strategies for communicating the security 
features of IoT devices to consumers. One initial step will be to 
explore and map out the many dimensions of security upgradability and 
patching for the relevant systems and applications. A goal will be to 
design and explore definitions that are easily understandable, while 
being backed by technical specifications and organizational practices 
and processes. A final step will be to develop a strategy to share 
these definitions throughout the broader development community, and 
ultimately with consumers. This may include raising awareness in the 
consumer space to help consumers understand security options and drive 
market forces.
    Stakeholders will determine the shape of the conversation and the 
process. NTIA has announced that the scope of the discussion will be 
around consumer devices, but stakeholders will ultimately determine 
which technologies, sectors, and applications will be discussed in the 
process, and covered by the resulting definitions and framework.
    While we anticipate a technical discussion in the process of 
exploring security upgrades, NTIA does not expect this discussion to 
develop new technical standards. This multistakeholder process is not a 
formal standards development process. Stakeholders may wish to use 
existing standards in their discussion and definitions, or may wish to 
call for new standards or standards processes as part of their 
recommendations.
    Stakeholders will determine the exact nature of the outcome of this 
process. Because it is unlikely that a one-size-fits-all solution will 
be feasible in this dynamic space, stakeholders will need to determine 
how to scope and organize the work through sub-groups or other means. 
Success of the process will be evaluated by the extent to which 
stakeholders embrace and implement the consensus findings within their 
individual practices or organizations, and work to promulgate them 
throughout the community. Although the stakeholders determine the 
outcome of the process, it is important to note that the process will 
not result in a new law or regulation.
    Matters to Be Considered: The October 19, 2016, meeting will be the 
first in a series of NTIA-convened multistakeholder discussions 
concerning IoT security upgradability and patching. Subsequent meetings 
will follow on a schedule determined by those participating in the 
first meeting. Stakeholders will engage in an open, transparent, 
consensus-driven process to understand the range of issues in security 
upgradability, and develop a set of definitions useful to both industry 
and consumers. The multistakeholder process will involve hearing and 
understanding the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, including a 
range of IoT manufacturers, solution providers, security experts, and 
consumer advocates.
    The October 19, 2016, meeting is intended to bring stakeholders 
together to share the range of views on security upgradability and 
patching, and to establish more concrete goals and structure of the 
process. The objectives of this first meeting are to: (1) Briefly 
review the importance of patching and the challenges in the existing 
ecosystem; (2) briefly share different perspectives on existing 
technologies and practices; (3) engage stakeholders in a discussion of 
key security upgrade dimensions, features, and concerns; (4) engage 
stakeholders in a discussion of logistical issues, including internal 
structures such as a small drafting committee or various working 
groups, and the location and frequency of future meetings; and (5) 
identify concrete goals and stakeholder work following the first 
meeting.
    The main objective of further meetings will be to encourage and 
facilitate continued discussion among stakeholders to build out a 
mapping of the range of issues, and develop a consensus view of a 
consolidated set of potential definitions. Discussions will also cover 
best practices for sharing security information with consumers. This 
discussion may include circulation of stakeholder-developed strawman 
drafts and discussion of the appropriate scope of the initiative. 
Stakeholders may also agree on procedural work plans for the group, 
including additional meetings or modified logistics for future 
meetings. NTIA suggests that stakeholders consider setting clear 
deadlines for a working draft and a phase for external review of this 
draft,

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before reconvening to take account of external feedback.
    More information about stakeholders' work will be available at: 
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
    Time and Date: NTIA will convene the first meeting of the 
multistakeholder process on IoT Security Upgradability and Patching on 
October 19, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time. 
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: The meeting will be held in the Trinity Ballroom at the 
Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Boulevard, Austin, Texas 
78759. The location of the meeting is 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.
    Other Information: The meeting is open to the public and the press 
on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. To assist the 
agency in determining space and webcast technology requirements, NTIA 
requests that interested persons pre-register for the meeting at 
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Allan Friedman at (202) 482-4281 or 
[email protected] at least seven (7) business days prior to each 
meeting. The meetings will also be webcast. Requests for real-time 
captioning of the webcast or other auxiliary aids should be directed to 
Allan Friedman at (202) 482-4281 or [email protected] at least 
seven (7) business days prior to each meeting. There will be an 
opportunity for stakeholders viewing the webcast to participate 
remotely in the meetings through a moderated conference bridge, 
including polling functionality. Access details for the meetings are 
subject to change. Please refer to NTIA's Web site, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security, for the most current information.

    Dated: September 14, 2016.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-22459 Filed 9-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P