Project Overview

In January 1988, the Congress enacted the Computer Security Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-235). A provision of that law called for the establishment of the Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board (CSSPAB) within the Department of Commerce. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C., App., the Board was chartered in May 1988. In December 2002, Public Law 107-347, The E-Government Act of 2002, Title III, the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002, Section 21 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g-4) amended the charter statutory authority of the Board and renamed it the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB).

Current Charter

Scope and Objectives --

• Identify emerging managerial, technical, administrative, and physical safeguard issues relative to information security and privacy;
• Advise the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on information security and privacy issues pertaining to Federal Government information systems, including thorough review of proposed standards and guidelines developed by NIST.
• Annually report its findings to the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the National Security Agency and the appropriate committees of the Congress.

The Board's authority does not extend to private sector systems or federal systems which process classified information. 

The membership of the Board consists of twelve members and a Chairperson. The Secretary of Commerce appoints the Chairperson, and the Director of NIST will appoint all Board members. The Board meets quarterly throughout the year and all meetings are open to the public. The Board invites public comments on its activities and the objectives the Board should undertake. Comments can be directed to Matthew Scholl.

For further information on the activities of the Board, Matthew Scholl.