Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation, 61689-61692 [2021-24316]

Agencies

• Department of Justice

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61689-61692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24316]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

28 CFR Part 16

[CPCLO Order No. 011-2021]


Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation

AGENCY: Justice Management Division, United States Department of 
Justice.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Justice (DOJ or Department) is 
finalizing without changes its Privacy Act exemption regulations for 
the system of records titled, Security Monitoring and Analytics Service 
Records, JUSTICE/JMD-026, which were published as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on July 30, 3021. Specifically, the Department's 
regulations will exempt the records maintained in JUSTICE/JMD-026 from 
one or more provisions of the Privacy Act. The exemptions are necessary 
to avoid interference with efforts to prevent the unauthorized access, 
use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of 
information, information systems, and networks of DOJ and external 
Federal agency subscribers. The Department received two comments on the 
NPRM, neither of which impact the Department's decision to proceed with 
issuing this final rule.

DATES: This final rule is effective December 8, 2021.

[[Page 61690]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nickolous Ward, DOJ Chief Information 
Security Officer, (202) 514-3101, 145 N Street NE, Washington, DC 
20530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Federal Information 
Security Modernization Act of 2014, among other authorities, agencies 
are responsible for complying with information security policies and 
procedures requiring information security protections commensurate with 
the risk and magnitude of harm resulting from the unauthorized access, 
use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of DOJ 
information and information systems. See, e.g., 44 U.S.C. 3554 (2018). 
Executive Order 13800, Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal 
Networks and Critical Infrastructure (May 2017), directs agency heads 
to show preference in their procurement for shared information 
technology (IT) services, to the extent permitted by law, including 
email, cloud, and cybersecurity services. Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-19-16, Centralized Mission Support 
Capabilities for the Federal Government (April 26, 2019), establishes 
the framework for implementing the ``Sharing Quality Services'' across 
agencies. The Economy Act of 1932, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 1535, 
authorizes agencies to enter into agreements to obtain supplies or 
services from another agency. Consistent with these authorities, the 
Justice Management Division (JMD), Office of the Chief Information 
Officer (OCIO), Cybersecurity Services Staff (CSS), developed the 
Security Monitoring and Analytics Service (SMAS) system to provide DOJ-
managed information technology service offerings to other Federal 
agencies wishing to leverage DOJ's cybersecurity services, referred to 
as ``external federal agency subscribers.'' This system provides 
external Federal agency subscribers with the technical capability to 
protect their data from malicious or accidental threats using a DOJ-
managed system. In the Federal Register of July 30, 2021 (86 FR 41089), 
JMD published a notice of a new system of records titled, ``Security 
Monitoring and Analytics Service Records,'' JUSTICE/JMD-026, to provide 
the public notice of the records maintained by DOJ while implementing 
SMAS.
    In this rulemaking, the Department exempts JUSTICE/JMD-026 from 
certain provisions of the Privacy Act in order to avoid interference 
with the responsibilities of the Department to prevent the unauthorized 
access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of 
external Federal agency subscribers' information and information 
systems. Additionally, the Department exempts JUSTICE/JMD-026 from 
certain provisions to assist DOJ and external Federal agency 
subscribers with protecting such data and ensuring the secure operation 
of information systems.
    The Department received two anonymous comments during the notice-
and-comment period. One comment expressed general support for the 
Department's work to address cybersecurity threats to the government 
through the implementation of JUSTICE/JMD-026. The second comment 
broadly questioned whether the proposed exemption would impact in any 
way the public's ability to access information maintained in the system 
of records or otherwise reduce the level of transparency required to 
maintain the public's trust in the Department. As noted in the rule, 
any restrictions on individual access are based on an articulated need 
to protect sensitive or law enforcement information. The Privacy Act 
was drafted to allow agencies to appropriately restrict the public's 
access to records maintained in a system of records when doing so could 
potentially reveal sensitive or law enforcement information. When 
working to ensure cybersecurity, the Department must balance the needs 
of ensuring transparency and public access with a duty to protect 
sensitive or law enforcement information that may reveal sources and 
methods or otherwise compromise law enforcement equities. Accordingly, 
the Department is proceeding with issuing this final rule without 
change.
    In reviewing the proposed rule (86 FR 40972, July 30, 2021) for 
publication, the Department identified a minor typographical error in 
the name and number of the identified system of records proposed to be 
exempted. Additionally, the proposed rule indicated in one place an 
exemption from subsection (d), and in another place an exemption from 
subsections (d)(1)-(4). In an effort to reduce potential confusion, the 
language in the final rule has been modified to consistently identify 
the system of records as being exempted from subsections (d)(1)-(4). 
Further, corrections have been inserted in the final rule in multiple 
places where the proposed rule had used the term ``system,'' although 
``system of records'' was clearly intended. Finally, the proposed rule 
stated that, in determining the relevance and utility of certain 
exempted information, it would be vetted and matched with other 
information necessarily and lawfully maintained by the DOJ, external 
Federal agency subscribers, or other entities. Such information need 
only be maintained lawfully by the DOJ, external Federal agency 
subscribers, or other entities for use in the vetting and matching 
described. The Department has determined that these changes do not 
significantly alter the efficacy of the notice that was provided to the 
public. The Department has made the adjustments in the final rule, 
which is published herein.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563-Regulatory Review

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and 552a(k), this regulation is 
subject to formal rulemaking procedures by giving interested persons an 
opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process ``through 
submission of written data, views, or arguments,'' pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553. This regulation will promulgate certain Privacy Act exemptions for 
a DOJ system of records titled, ``Security Monitoring and Analytics 
Service Records,'' JUSTICE/JMD-026. This regulation does not raise 
novel legal or policy issues, nor does it adversely affect the economy, 
the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, loan programs, 
or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof in a material way. 
The Department of Justice has determined that this rule is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, section 
3(f), and accordingly this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and 
Budget pursuant to Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This regulation will only impact Privacy Act-protected records, 
which are personal and generally do not apply to an individual's 
entrepreneurial capacity, subject to limited exceptions. Accordingly, 
the Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer, in accordance with the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this 
regulation and by approving it certifies that this regulation will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Subtitle 
E--Congressional Review Act)

    The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 
1996, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., requires the Department to comply with 
small entity requests for information and advice

[[Page 61691]]

about compliance with statutes and regulations within the Department's 
jurisdiction. Any small entity that has a question regarding this 
document may contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section, above. Persons can obtain further information 
regarding SBREFA on the Small Business Administration's web page at 
https://www.sba.gov/advocacy. This regulation is not a major rule as 
defined by 5 U.S.C. 804 of the Congressional Review Act.

Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the National Government and the 
States, or on distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive 
Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.

Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

    This regulation meets the applicable standards set forth in 
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate 
drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize litigation, provide a clear 
legal standard for affected conduct, and promote simplification and 
burden reduction.

Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    This regulation will have no implications for Indian Tribal 
governments. More specifically, it does not have substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. 
Therefore, the consultation requirements of Executive Order 13175 do 
not apply.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This regulation will not result in the expenditure by State, local, 
and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100,000,000, as adjusted for inflation, or more in any one year, and 
it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. 
Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Congressional Review Act

    This rule is not a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804 of the 
Congressional Review Act.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule imposes no information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 16

    Administrative practices and procedures, Courts, Freedom of 
information, Privacy.

    Pursuant to the authority vested in the Attorney General by 5 
U.S.C. 552a and delegated to me by Attorney General Order 2940-2008, 
the Department of Justice amends 28 CFR part 16 as follows:

PART 16--PRODUCTION OR DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL OR INFORMATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 16 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a, 553; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510, 
534; 31 U.S.C. 3717.

Subpart E--Exemption of Records Systems Under the Privacy Act

0
2. Amend Sec.  16.76 by adding paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  16.76   Exemption of Justice Management Division.

* * * * *
    (e) The following system of records is exempted from 5 U.S.C. 
552a(c)(3); (d)(1)-(4); (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I); and (f): 
Department of Justice Security Monitoring and Analytics Service Records 
(JUSTICE/JMD-026). The exemptions in this paragraph (e) apply only to 
the extent that information in this system of records is subject to 
exemption pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). Where DOJ determines 
compliance would not appear to interfere with or adversely affect the 
purpose of this system of records to ensure that the Department can 
track information system access and implement information security 
protections commensurate with the risk and magnitude of harm that could 
result from the unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, 
modification, or destruction of DOJ information and information 
systems, the applicable exemption may be waived by the DOJ in its sole 
discretion.
    (f) Exemptions from the particular subsections listed in paragraph 
(e) of this section are justified for the following reasons:
    (1) From subsection (c)(3), the requirement that an accounting be 
made available to the named subject of a record, because this system of 
records is exempt from the access provisions of subsection (d). Also, 
because making available to a record subject the accounting of 
disclosures of records concerning the subject would specifically reveal 
investigative interests in the records by the DOJ, external Federal 
agency subscribers, or other entities that are recipients of the 
disclosures. Revealing this information could compromise sensitive 
information or interfere with the overall law enforcement process by 
revealing a pending sensitive cybersecurity investigation. Revealing 
this information could also permit the record subject to obtain 
valuable insight concerning the information obtained during any 
investigation and to take measures to impede the investigation, e.g., 
destroy evidence or alter techniques to evade discovery.
    (2) From subsection (d)(1), (2), (3) and (4), (e)(4)(G) and (H), 
and (f) because these provisions concern individual access to and 
amendment of certain law enforcement and sensitive records, compliance 
of which could alert the subject of an authorized law enforcement 
activity about that particular activity and the interest of the DOJ, 
external Federal agency subscribers, and/or other entities that are 
recipients of the disclosure. Providing access could compromise 
sensitive information or reveal sensitive cybersecurity investigative 
techniques; provide information that would allow a subject to avoid 
detection; or constitute a potential danger to the health or safety of 
law enforcement personnel or confidential sources.
    (3) From subsection (e)(1) because it is not always possible to 
know in advance what information is relevant and necessary for law 
enforcement purposes. The relevance and utility of certain information 
that may have a nexus to cybersecurity threats may not always be fully 
evident until and unless it is vetted and matched with other 
information lawfully maintained by the DOJ, external Federal agency 
subscribers, or other entities.
    (4) From subsection (e)(4)(I), to the extent that this subsection 
is interpreted to require more detail regarding the record sources in 
this system of records than has been published in the Federal Register. 
Should the subsection be so interpreted, exemption from this provision 
is necessary to protect the sources of law enforcement information.


[[Page 61692]]


    Dated: October 26, 2021.
Peter A. Winn,
Acting Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer, United States 
Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2021-24316 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
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