Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One Public Collection of Information: Exercise Information System, 24742-24744 [2014-09992]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 84 / Thursday, May 1, 2014 / Notices
(FEMA–4170–DR), dated April 10, 2014,
and related determinations.
DATES: Effective Date: April 10, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dean Webster, Office of Response and
Recovery, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 500 C Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646–2833.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
hereby given that, in a letter dated April
10, 2014, the President issued a major
disaster declaration under the authority
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act, 42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the ‘‘Stafford Act’’),
as follows:
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
I have determined that the damage in
certain areas of the State of Maryland
resulting from a snowstorm during the period
of February 12–13, 2014, is of sufficient
severity and magnitude to warrant a major
disaster declaration under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the
‘‘Stafford Act’’). Therefore, I declare that such
a major disaster exists in the State of
Maryland.
In order to provide Federal assistance, you
are hereby authorized to allocate from funds
available for these purposes such amounts as
you find necessary for Federal disaster
assistance and administrative expenses.
You are authorized to provide emergency
protective measures (Category B) under the
Public Assistance program in the designated
areas and Hazard Mitigation throughout the
State. You are further authorized to provide
snow assistance under the Public Assistance
program for a limited time during or
proximate to the incident period.
Consistent with the requirement that
Federal assistance be supplemental, any
Federal funds provided under the Stafford
Act for Hazard Mitigation will be limited to
75 percent of the total eligible costs. Federal
funds provided under the Stafford Act for
Public Assistance also will be limited to 75
percent of the total eligible costs, with the
exception of projects that meet the eligibility
criteria for a higher Federal cost-sharing
percentage under the Public Assistance
Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for
Debris Removal implemented pursuant to
Section 428 of the Stafford Act.
Further, you are authorized to make
changes to this declaration for the approved
assistance to the extent allowable under the
Stafford Act.
The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Administrator, under Executive Order
12148, as amended, Steven S. Ward, of
FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal
Coordinating Officer for this major
disaster.
The following areas of the State of
Maryland have been designated as
adversely affected by this major disaster:
Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard Counties
for emergency protective measures (Category
B), under the Public Assistance program.
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17:30 Apr 30, 2014
Jkt 232001
Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard Counties
for snow assistance under the Public
Assistance program for any continuous 48hour period during or proximate the incident
period.
All counties within the State of Maryland
are eligible to apply for assistance under the
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The following Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Numbers (CFDA) are to be used
for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030,
Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora
Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis Counseling;
97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034,
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA);
97.046, Fire Management Assistance Grant;
97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to
Individuals and Households In Presidentially
Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049,
Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance—
Disaster Housing Operations for Individuals
and Households; 97.050, Presidentially
Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals
and Households—Other Needs; 97.036,
Disaster Grants—Public Assistance
(Presidentially Declared Disasters); 97.039,
Hazard Mitigation Grant.
W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2014–09981 Filed 4–30–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–23–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Intent To Request Approval From OMB
of One Public Collection of
Information: Exercise Information
System
Transportation Security
Administration, DHS.
ACTION: 60-day Notice.
AGENCY:
The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) invites public
comment on one currently approved
Information Collection Request (ICR),
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) control number 1652–0057,
abstracted below that we will submit to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for renewal in compliance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
The ICR describes the nature of the
information collection and its expected
burden for the TSA Exercise
Information System (EXIS). EXIS is a
web portal designed to serve
stakeholders in the transportation
industry in regard to security training
exercises. EXIS provides stakeholders
with transportation security exercise
scenarios and objectives, best practices
and lessons learned, and a repository of
the user’s own historical exercise data
for use in future exercises. It also allows
stakeholders to design their own
SUMMARY:
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security exercises based on the unique
needs of their specific transportation
mode or method of operation. Utilizing
and inputting information into EXIS is
completely voluntary.
DATES: Send your comments by June 30,
2014.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed
to TSAPRA@dhs.gov or delivered to the
TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information
Technology (OIT), TSA–11,
Transportation Security Administration,
601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA
20598–6011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christina Walsh at the above address, or
by telephone 571–227–2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a valid OMB control
number. The ICR documentation is
available at www.reginfo.gov. Therefore,
in preparation for OMB review and
approval of the following information
collection, TSA is soliciting comments
to—
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed
information requirement 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;
(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 using
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Information Collection Requirement
Purpose of Data Collection
The Exercise Information System
(EXIS) is an Internet-accessible
knowledge-management system
developed by TSA to serve its relevant
stakeholders (such as members of the
transportation industry, port authorities,
Federal agencies, and state and local
governments). EXIS integrates securityrelated training and exercise
components constituting Sensitive
Security Information.1 It gives
1 Sensitive Security Information (SSI) is
information which, if publicly released, would be
detrimental to transportation security, and is
defined at 49 U.S.C. 114(r) and 49 CFR part 1520.
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 84 / Thursday, May 1, 2014 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
stakeholders valuable security exercise
scenarios and objectives, best practices
and lessons learned, and a repository of
the users’ own historical exercise data
for use in future exercises.
Transportation industry stakeholders
can choose scenarios and objectives
based on their vulnerabilities, mode of
transportation, and the size of their
operation.
As a knowledge management system,
EXIS provides end-to-end security
exercise support from the initial
planning meeting through exercise
design, implementation, evaluation, and
reporting. Working in a secure online
environment, with a username and
password, EXIS users can easily:
• Customize exercise design: Develop
objectives, scenarios, contingency
injects, evaluation metrics, and other
data sets.
• Conduct robust analyses: Sort
evaluation data by exercise objectives,
transportation modes, scenario types, or
functional areas.
• Create analytical reports: Identify
and sort lessons learned, corrective
actions, and best practices from past
exercises or from those of other
jurisdictions.
• Collaborate and share information:
Build relationships with partners.
EXIS was developed by TSA as part
of its broad responsibilities and
authorities under the Aviation and
Transportation Security Act (ATSA),2
and delegated authority from the
Secretary of Homeland Security, for
‘‘security in all modes of transportation
. . . including security responsibilities
. . . over modes of transportation that
are exercised by the Department of
Transportation.’’ 3 EXIS is a component
of TSA’s Intermodal Security Training
Exercise Program (I–STEP), which
works with surface transportation
stakeholders in developing and
conducting security exercises. I–STEP
also fulfills requirements of the
Implementing Recommendations of the
9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11
Act) 4 regarding the establishment of
security training exercises for surface
modes of transportation that can assess
and improve the capabilities of these
modes in preventing, preparing for,
mitigating against, responding to, and
recovering from acts of terrorism.5
2 Public Law 107–71 (115 Stat. 597, Nov. 19,
2001).
3 See 49 U.S.C. 114 (d).
4 Public Law 110–53 (121 Stat. 266, Aug. 3, 2007).
5 9/11 Act secs. 1407 (codified at 6 U.S.C.
1136(a)), 1516 (codified at 6 U.S.C. 1166), and 1533
(codified at 6 U.S.C. 1183). See also the Security
and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006
(SAFE Port Act), Public Law 109–347 (120 Stat.
1884, Oct. 13, 2006) (codified at 6 U.S.C. 911 (a)).
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EXIS helps users design an exercise
through the use of a ‘‘wizard’’ (an
interface that leads the user through a
series of steps to help them work
through an otherwise potentially
complex process). The EXIS wizard
walks the user through a step-by-step
process allowing them to build a profile
for their exercise. EXIS provides users
with suggested scenarios based on the
area of focus and objectives selected by
the user. Users also have the ability to
create custom injects or modify a
Generic EXIS Community Scenario.
Exercise Administrators, who are TSA
employees within the Program Office,
may suggest modified scenarios and
custom injects for use in exercise
design.
Once the user has worked through all
the steps guided by the wizard, EXIS
generates a collaborative workspace for
exercise team members to work within.
All exercise elements can be customized
and saved. Lessons learned, best
management practices, and corrective
actions are pre-populated into the
workspace based on the scenario and
objectives of the exercise determined
during its creation. EXIS is adaptable to
changing exercise, tracking, and
reporting needs as they mature and can
support the addition of future exercise
elements.
By linking ‘‘exercise communities,’’
users can also tackle cross-jurisdictional
issues, such as interoperability. Users
are able to focus on the underlying
issues of transportation security and
preparedness, and avoid repeating
costly mistakes. Finally, users can also
provide feedback on the usefulness of
EXIS itself so that TSA may improve
this system to better suit the
stakeholders’ future security needs.
TSA intends EXIS to be used
primarily by individuals with security
responsibilities, such as heads of
security, for public and private owner/
operators in the surface transportation
community, including mass transit
systems, freight/rail operators, highway/
trucking companies, school bus
operators, and pipeline systems. These
individuals, and other stakeholders, can
voluntarily contact TSA to request
access to EXIS; TSA does not require
participation in EXIS. Those seeking
access or desiring more information
about I–STEP products and services can
contact a TSA modal representative or
send their request by email to ISTEP@
dhs.gov.
Description of Data Collection
TSA will collect five types of
information through EXIS. The
collection is voluntary. EXIS users are
not required to provide all information
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24743
requested—however, if users choose to
withhold information, they will not
receive the benefits of EXIS associated
with that information collection.
1. User registration information.
Because EXIS includes SSI information,
TSA must collect information upon
registration to ensure only those
members of the transportation
community with a relevant interest in
conducting security training exercises
and with an appropriate level of need to
access security training information are
provided access to EXIS. Such
registration information will include the
user’s name, professional contact
information, agency/company, job title,
employer, and employment verification
contact information.
2. Desired nature and scope of the
exercise. TSA will collect this
information to generate an EXIS training
exercise appropriate for the particular
user. Users are asked to submit their
desired transportation mode, exercise
properties, objectives, scenario events,
and participating agencies.
3. Corrective actions/lessons learned/
best practices. TSA collects this
information to document and share the
users’ ideas and methods for improving
transportation security with other
transportation stakeholders. The user
has the option to suggest that their
lesson(s) learned, best practice(s), or
corrective action(s) be published to the
wider EXIS user base. The I–STEP team
sends the item to Subject Matter Experts
within TSA for vetting and validation.
Once the information is validated, any
company or user identifying
information is removed and the content
is published to the site for all users to
access.
4. Evaluation feedback. TSA collects
this information for the purpose of
evaluating the usefulness of EXIS in
facilitating security training exercises
for the users. TSA can then modify EXIS
to better suit its users’ needs.
5. After-Action Reports. The EXIS
automatically summarizes information
from items (2) and (3) mentioned above
in order to create formal After-Action
Reports (AAR) for users. These AARs
include an exercise overview, goals and
objectives, scenario event synopsis,
analysis of critical issues, exercise
design characteristics, conclusions, and
the executive summary. The AAR is the
output of the exercise process.
Stakeholders use the report to identify
areas in which they can assign resources
to mitigate risk and enhance the security
posture within their organization.
Use of Results
TSA will use this information to
assess and improve the capabilities of
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 84 / Thursday, May 1, 2014 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
all surface transportation modes to
prevent, prepare for, mitigate against,
respond to, and recover from
transportation security incidents. A
failure to collect this information will
limit TSA’s ability to effectively test
security countermeasures, security
plans, and the ability of a modal
operator to respond to and quickly
recover after a transportation security
incident. Insufficient awareness,
prevention, response, and recovery to a
transportation security incident will
result in increased vulnerability of the
U.S. transportation network and a
reduced ability of DHS to assess system
readiness.
Based on industry population
estimates and growth rates, and interest
generated amongst the surface
transportation modes during the first
three years following EXIS’ release to
the public, TSA estimates that there will
be approximately 12,998 users for the
next three years (4,034 users in Year 1,
4,278 users in Year 2, and 4,686 users
in Year 3.) This was calculated by first
estimating the future EXIS population
using the current number of users (364)
and its rate of growth per year (67
percent), in addition to the number of
annual users added through outreach
events (3,670). To determine the
exercise response rate, the average
number of exercises conducted annually
was calculated based on the number of
exercises built per user (roughly one in
three users conducted an exercise). TSA
calculated that 35 percent of users
conduct one exercise per year. Thus, the
estimated average number of exercises
conducted per year totals 1,517 (12,998
users *.35)/3 years)). TSA estimates
users will spend approximately 4 hours
per EXIS exercise inputting the
information. Finally, the average
number of annual exercises conducted
was multiplied by four hours (the
amount of time users spent building
each exercise) to determine the average
annual hourly burden. Given this
information, the total annual hourly
burden for EXIS’s collection of
information is 6,068 hours (1,517 users
* 4 hours). There are no fees to use
EXIS. The total annual cost burden to
respondents is $0.00.
Dated: April 25, 2014.
Christina Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office
of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2014–09992 Filed 4–30–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–05–P
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Jkt 232001
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Modification of National Customs
Automation Program (NCAP) Test
Concerning Automated Commercial
Environment (ACE) Cargo Release To
Allow Importers and Brokers To Certify
From ACE Entry Summary
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: General notice.
AGENCY:
This document announces
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s
(CBP’s) plan to modify the National
Customs Automation Program (NCAP)
test concerning Cargo Release
functionality in the Automated
Commercial Environment (ACE) by
allowing importers and customs brokers
to now certify from ACE Entry Summary
cargo transported by air, ocean or rail
during the Ace Cargo Release test.
Originally, the test was known as the
Simplified Entry Test because the test
simplified the entry process by reducing
the number of data elements required to
obtain release for cargo transported by
air. The test was subsequently modified
to provide more capabilities to test
participants, allowing CBP to deliver
enhanced functionality and to include
expansion to the ocean, rail and truck
modes of transportation. This notice
invites more participants to join the test.
DATES: The ACE Cargo Release test
modifications set forth in this document
are effective no earlier than April 6,
2014. The test will run until
approximately November 1, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Comments or questions
concerning this notice and indication of
interest in participation in ACE Cargo
Release should be submitted, via email,
to Susan Maskell at susan.c.maskell@
cbp.dhs.gov. In the subject line of your
email, please use, ‘‘Comment on ACE
Cargo Release Certify from Summary’’.
The body of the email should include
information regarding the identity of the
ports where filings are likely to occur.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
policy related questions, contact
Stephen Hilsen, Director, Business
Transformation, ACE Business Office,
Office of International Trade, at
stephen.r.hilsen@cbp.dhs.gov. For
technical questions, contact Susan
Maskell, Client Representative Branch,
ACE Business Office, Office of
International Trade, at susan.c.maskell@
cbp.dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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Background
I. The National Customs Automation
Program
The National Customs Automation
Program (NCAP) was established in
Subtitle B of Title VI—Customs
Modernization in the North American
Free Trade Agreement Implementation
Act (Pub. L. 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057,
2170, December 8, 1993) (Customs
Modernization Act). See 19 U.S.C. 1411.
Through NCAP, the initial thrust of
customs modernization was on trade
compliance and the development of the
Automated Commercial Environment
(ACE), the planned successor to the
Automated Commercial System (ACS).
ACE is an automated and electronic
system for commercial trade processing
which is intended to streamline
business processes, facilitate growth in
trade, ensure cargo security, and foster
participation in global commerce, while
ensuring compliance with U.S. laws and
regulations and reducing costs for U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
and all of its communities of interest.
The ability to meet these objectives
depends on successfully modernizing
CBP’s business functions and the
information technology that supports
those functions.
CBP’s modernization efforts are
accomplished through phased releases
of ACE component functionality
designed to replace a specific legacy
ACS function. Each release will begin
with a test and, if the test is successful,
will end with implementation of the
functionality through the promulgation
of regulations governing the new ACE
feature and the retirement of the legacy
ACS function.
The ACE Cargo Release test was
previously known as the Simplified
Entry Test because the test simplified
the entry process by reducing the
number of data elements required to
obtain release for cargo transported by
air. The original test notice required
participants to be a member of the
Customs-Trade Partnership Against
Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Through
phased releases of ACE component
functionality this test has been
expanded to allow all eligible
participants to join the test for an
indefinite period regardless of the CTPAT status of an importer self-filer or
a customs broker.
For the convenience of the public, a
chronological listing of Federal Register
publications detailing ACE test
developments is set forth below in
Section VIII, entitled, ‘‘Development of
ACE Prototypes.’’ The procedures and
criteria applicable to participation in the
prior ACE tests remain in effect unless
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24742-24744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09992]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One Public Collection of
Information: Exercise Information System
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.
ACTION: 60-day Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0057,
abstracted below that we will submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and
its expected burden for the TSA Exercise Information System (EXIS).
EXIS is a web portal designed to serve stakeholders in the
transportation industry in regard to security training exercises. EXIS
provides stakeholders with transportation security exercise scenarios
and objectives, best practices and lessons learned, and a repository of
the user's own historical exercise data for use in future exercises. It
also allows stakeholders to design their own security exercises based
on the unique needs of their specific transportation mode or method of
operation. Utilizing and inputting information into EXIS is completely
voluntary.
DATES: Send your comments by June 30, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to TSAPRA@dhs.gov or delivered to
the TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11,
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street,
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Walsh at the above address,
or by telephone 571-227-2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available
at www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and
approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting
comments to--
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement 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;
(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 using appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
Information Collection Requirement
Purpose of Data Collection
The Exercise Information System (EXIS) is an Internet-accessible
knowledge-management system developed by TSA to serve its relevant
stakeholders (such as members of the transportation industry, port
authorities, Federal agencies, and state and local governments). EXIS
integrates security-related training and exercise components
constituting Sensitive Security Information.\1\ It gives
[[Page 24743]]
stakeholders valuable security exercise scenarios and objectives, best
practices and lessons learned, and a repository of the users' own
historical exercise data for use in future exercises. Transportation
industry stakeholders can choose scenarios and objectives based on
their vulnerabilities, mode of transportation, and the size of their
operation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Sensitive Security Information (SSI) is information which,
if publicly released, would be detrimental to transportation
security, and is defined at 49 U.S.C. 114(r) and 49 CFR part 1520.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a knowledge management system, EXIS provides end-to-end security
exercise support from the initial planning meeting through exercise
design, implementation, evaluation, and reporting. Working in a secure
online environment, with a username and password, EXIS users can
easily:
Customize exercise design: Develop objectives, scenarios,
contingency injects, evaluation metrics, and other data sets.
Conduct robust analyses: Sort evaluation data by exercise
objectives, transportation modes, scenario types, or functional areas.
Create analytical reports: Identify and sort lessons
learned, corrective actions, and best practices from past exercises or
from those of other jurisdictions.
Collaborate and share information: Build relationships
with partners.
EXIS was developed by TSA as part of its broad responsibilities and
authorities under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act
(ATSA),\2\ and delegated authority from the Secretary of Homeland
Security, for ``security in all modes of transportation . . . including
security responsibilities . . . over modes of transportation that are
exercised by the Department of Transportation.'' \3\ EXIS is a
component of TSA's Intermodal Security Training Exercise Program (I-
STEP), which works with surface transportation stakeholders in
developing and conducting security exercises. I-STEP also fulfills
requirements of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission
Act of 2007 (9/11 Act) \4\ regarding the establishment of security
training exercises for surface modes of transportation that can assess
and improve the capabilities of these modes in preventing, preparing
for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering from acts of
terrorism.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Public Law 107-71 (115 Stat. 597, Nov. 19, 2001).
\3\ See 49 U.S.C. 114 (d).
\4\ Public Law 110-53 (121 Stat. 266, Aug. 3, 2007).
\5\ 9/11 Act secs. 1407 (codified at 6 U.S.C. 1136(a)), 1516
(codified at 6 U.S.C. 1166), and 1533 (codified at 6 U.S.C. 1183).
See also the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006
(SAFE Port Act), Public Law 109-347 (120 Stat. 1884, Oct. 13, 2006)
(codified at 6 U.S.C. 911 (a)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXIS helps users design an exercise through the use of a ``wizard''
(an interface that leads the user through a series of steps to help
them work through an otherwise potentially complex process). The EXIS
wizard walks the user through a step-by-step process allowing them to
build a profile for their exercise. EXIS provides users with suggested
scenarios based on the area of focus and objectives selected by the
user. Users also have the ability to create custom injects or modify a
Generic EXIS Community Scenario. Exercise Administrators, who are TSA
employees within the Program Office, may suggest modified scenarios and
custom injects for use in exercise design.
Once the user has worked through all the steps guided by the
wizard, EXIS generates a collaborative workspace for exercise team
members to work within. All exercise elements can be customized and
saved. Lessons learned, best management practices, and corrective
actions are pre-populated into the workspace based on the scenario and
objectives of the exercise determined during its creation. EXIS is
adaptable to changing exercise, tracking, and reporting needs as they
mature and can support the addition of future exercise elements.
By linking ``exercise communities,'' users can also tackle cross-
jurisdictional issues, such as interoperability. Users are able to
focus on the underlying issues of transportation security and
preparedness, and avoid repeating costly mistakes. Finally, users can
also provide feedback on the usefulness of EXIS itself so that TSA may
improve this system to better suit the stakeholders' future security
needs.
TSA intends EXIS to be used primarily by individuals with security
responsibilities, such as heads of security, for public and private
owner/operators in the surface transportation community, including mass
transit systems, freight/rail operators, highway/trucking companies,
school bus operators, and pipeline systems. These individuals, and
other stakeholders, can voluntarily contact TSA to request access to
EXIS; TSA does not require participation in EXIS. Those seeking access
or desiring more information about I-STEP products and services can
contact a TSA modal representative or send their request by email to
ISTEP@dhs.gov.
Description of Data Collection
TSA will collect five types of information through EXIS. The
collection is voluntary. EXIS users are not required to provide all
information requested--however, if users choose to withhold
information, they will not receive the benefits of EXIS associated with
that information collection.
1. User registration information. Because EXIS includes SSI
information, TSA must collect information upon registration to ensure
only those members of the transportation community with a relevant
interest in conducting security training exercises and with an
appropriate level of need to access security training information are
provided access to EXIS. Such registration information will include the
user's name, professional contact information, agency/company, job
title, employer, and employment verification contact information.
2. Desired nature and scope of the exercise. TSA will collect this
information to generate an EXIS training exercise appropriate for the
particular user. Users are asked to submit their desired transportation
mode, exercise properties, objectives, scenario events, and
participating agencies.
3. Corrective actions/lessons learned/best practices. TSA collects
this information to document and share the users' ideas and methods for
improving transportation security with other transportation
stakeholders. The user has the option to suggest that their lesson(s)
learned, best practice(s), or corrective action(s) be published to the
wider EXIS user base. The I-STEP team sends the item to Subject Matter
Experts within TSA for vetting and validation. Once the information is
validated, any company or user identifying information is removed and
the content is published to the site for all users to access.
4. Evaluation feedback. TSA collects this information for the
purpose of evaluating the usefulness of EXIS in facilitating security
training exercises for the users. TSA can then modify EXIS to better
suit its users' needs.
5. After-Action Reports. The EXIS automatically summarizes
information from items (2) and (3) mentioned above in order to create
formal After-Action Reports (AAR) for users. These AARs include an
exercise overview, goals and objectives, scenario event synopsis,
analysis of critical issues, exercise design characteristics,
conclusions, and the executive summary. The AAR is the output of the
exercise process. Stakeholders use the report to identify areas in
which they can assign resources to mitigate risk and enhance the
security posture within their organization.
Use of Results
TSA will use this information to assess and improve the
capabilities of
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all surface transportation modes to prevent, prepare for, mitigate
against, respond to, and recover from transportation security
incidents. A failure to collect this information will limit TSA's
ability to effectively test security countermeasures, security plans,
and the ability of a modal operator to respond to and quickly recover
after a transportation security incident. Insufficient awareness,
prevention, response, and recovery to a transportation security
incident will result in increased vulnerability of the U.S.
transportation network and a reduced ability of DHS to assess system
readiness.
Based on industry population estimates and growth rates, and
interest generated amongst the surface transportation modes during the
first three years following EXIS' release to the public, TSA estimates
that there will be approximately 12,998 users for the next three years
(4,034 users in Year 1, 4,278 users in Year 2, and 4,686 users in Year
3.) This was calculated by first estimating the future EXIS population
using the current number of users (364) and its rate of growth per year
(67 percent), in addition to the number of annual users added through
outreach events (3,670). To determine the exercise response rate, the
average number of exercises conducted annually was calculated based on
the number of exercises built per user (roughly one in three users
conducted an exercise). TSA calculated that 35 percent of users conduct
one exercise per year. Thus, the estimated average number of exercises
conducted per year totals 1,517 (12,998 users *.35)/3 years)). TSA
estimates users will spend approximately 4 hours per EXIS exercise
inputting the information. Finally, the average number of annual
exercises conducted was multiplied by four hours (the amount of time
users spent building each exercise) to determine the average annual
hourly burden. Given this information, the total annual hourly burden
for EXIS's collection of information is 6,068 hours (1,517 users * 4
hours). There are no fees to use EXIS. The total annual cost burden to
respondents is $0.00.
Dated: April 25, 2014.
Christina Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2014-09992 Filed 4-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P
