82 FR 29845 - Multistakeholder Process on Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)

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 July 18, 2017. This is the fourth in a series of meetings. For information on prior meetings, see Web site address below.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29845-29846]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13775]


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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 a virtual meeting of a multistakeholder process on 
Internet of Things Security Upgradability and Patching on July 18, 
2017. This is the fourth in a series of meetings. For information on 
prior meetings, see Web site address below.

DATES: The virtual meeting will be held on July 18, 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 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 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.
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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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    After reviewing these comments, NTIA announced that the next 
multistakeholder process on cybersecurity would be on IoT security 
upgradability and patching.\5\ The first meeting of a multistakeholder 
process on this topic was held on October 19, 2016.\6\ A second, 
virtual meeting of this process was held on January 31, 2017,\7\ and a 
third meeting was held on April 26, 2017.\8\
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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.
    \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\ NTIA, Notice of Multistakeholder Process on Internet of 
Things Security Upgradability and Patching Open Meeting (April 11, 
2017), available at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2017/notice-04262017-meeting-multistakeholder-process-internet-things.
    \8\ 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.
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    The matter of patching vulnerable systems is now an accepted part 
of cybersecurity.\9\ 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.\10\
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    \9\ 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.
    \10\ 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

[[Page 29846]]

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, and focused their 
efforts in four working groups addressing both technical and policy 
issues.\11\ The main objectives of the July 18, 2017, meeting are to 
share progress from the working groups and hear feedback from the 
broader stakeholder community. Stakeholders will also discuss how the 
outputs of the different work streams can complement each other. More 
information about stakeholders' work is available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
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    \11\ Documents shared by working group stakeholders are 
available at: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security.
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    Time and Date: NTIA will convene a virtual meeting of the 
multistakeholder process on Internet of Things Security Upgradability 
and Patching on July 18, 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. Requests for a transcript of the meeting 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. Please refer to NTIA's Web site, https://www.ntia.doc.gov/other-publication/2016/multistakeholder-process-iot-security, for the most current information.

    Dated: June 27, 2017.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-13775 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-60-P