Trump Administration Releases VEP Charter to Increase Transparency

The Trump Administration released a new 14-page charter Wednesday detailing the Vulnerabilities Equities Process (VEP), which the federal government uses to determine if, how and when it tells private companies about zero-day security flaws.

The Trump Administration released a new 14-page charter Wednesday detailing the Vulnerabilities Equities Process (VEP), which the federal government uses to determine if, how and when it tells private companies about zero-day security flaws. White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Rob Joyce emphasized in a blog post the importance of “improved transparency” and “accountability of the process and those who operate it”.  

The unclassified document, “Vulnerabilities Equities Policy and Process for the United States Government,” sets out the workflow and equity considerations taken when the agencies involved “make determinations regarding disclosure or restriction when the USG obtains knowledge of newly discovered and not publicly known vulnerabilities in information systems and technologies,” according to the charter. The process, it adds, “balances whether to disseminate vulnerability information to the vendor/supplier in the expectation that it will be patched, or to temporarily restrict the knowledge of the vulnerability to the USG, and potentially other partners, so that it can be used for national security and law enforcement purposes, such as intelligence collection, military operations, and/or counterintelligence.”

According to Joyce, those who are part of the Equities Review Board “consider four major groups of equities: defensive equities; intelligence / law enforcement / operational equities; commercial equities; and international partnership equities.” The goal is to weigh the benefit to national security and to the national public by considering a wide range of questions across these equities. Some of the questions listed in the charter include:

  • Are threat actors likely to exploit this vulnerability, if it were known to them?
  • Is exploitation of this vulnerability alone sufficient to cause harm?
  • How likely is it that threat actors will discover or acquire knowledge of this vulnerability?
  • How much do users rely on the security of the product?
  • How severe is the vulnerability? What are the potential consequences of exploitation of this vulnerability?
  • What access or benefit does a threat actor gain by exploiting this vulnerability?
  • If the vulnerability is disclosed, how likely is it that the vendor or another entity will develop and release a patch or update that effectively mitigates it?
  • Can this vulnerability be exploited to support intelligence collection, cyber operations, or law enforcement evidence collection?
  • If a patch or update is released, how likely is it to be applied to vulnerable systems? How soon? What percentage of vulnerable systems will remain forever unpatched or unpatched for more than a year after the patch is released?
  • If USG knowledge of this vulnerability were to be revealed, what risks could that pose for USG international relations?

This move toward transparency comes after criticism toward the U.S. intelligence community for withholding details about critical vulnerabilities that have been used against businesses and consumers in attacks such as the WannaCry virus this year.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Nothing Artificial About this Intelligence

    I have been looking forward to this year’s GSX show in New Orleans, the Cresent City, or if you prefer The Big Easy. It seems like quite a while since we’ve been here. Twenty years ago, ASIS, as it was known then was literally washed out of the city by someone known as Katrina. It is a good thing to come back to NOLA. Read Now

  • From Monitors to Mission Control

    Security Operations Centers (SOC) were once defined by rows of static monitors, each displaying a single feed with operators quietly watching for issues. That model has become obsolete. Incidents evolve too quickly, data comes from multiple locations, and decisions must be made in seconds—not minutes. Read Now

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.