Federal Register: September 29, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 187)
DOCID: fr29se09-64 FR Doc E9-23513
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Homeland Security Department
Docket ID: [Docket No. DHS-2009-0038]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr29se09-64
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of Privacy Act system of records update.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Privacy Act of 1974; Department of Homeland Security/ALL-004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System of Records
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 29, 2009.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 the Department of Homeland Security proposes to update and reissue a Department of Homeland Security system of records notice titled, Department of Homeland Security/ALL004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System of Records. As a result of the biennial review of this system, the Department proposes to include the addition of social security numbers in the categories of records covered by the system for the purpose of identifying an individual for system access. Additionally, a new routine use has been added for the purpose of sharing with the media where appropriate. This updated system will be included in the Department of Homeland Security's inventory of record systems.
SUMMARY:
Privacy Act; Systems of Records
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Background
As part of its efforts to maintain its Privacy Act record systems, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is updating and reissuing a Departmentwide system of records under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) for DHS/ALL004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System of Records (73 FR 28139, May 15, 2008). This will ensure that all components of DHS follow the same privacy rules for collecting and handling information technology access account records. The collection and maintenance of this information will assist DHS in managing the Department's information technology access account records.
This system of records is part of DHS' ongoing record integration and management efforts. This system consists of information collected in order to provide authorized individuals with access to DHS information technology resources. This information includes user name, business affiliation, account information and passwords.
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, DHS is giving notice
that it proposes to update and reissue a DHS system of records notice
titled, DHS/ALL004 General Information Technology Access Account
Records System of Records. As a result of the biennial review of this system, the
[[Page 49883]]
Department proposes to include the addition of social security numbers
in the categories of records covered by the system for the purpose of
identifying an individual for system access. Additionally, a new
routine use has been added for the purpose of sharing with the media
where appropriate. This updated system will be included in DHS's inventory of record systems.
II. Privacy Act
The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory framework governing the means by which the United States Government collects, maintains, uses, and disseminates individuals' records. The Privacy Act applies to information that is maintained in a ``system of records.'' A ``system of records'' is a group of any records under the control of an agency for which information is retrieved by the name of an individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act, an individual is defined to encompass United States citizens and lawful permanent residents. As a matter of policy, DHS extends administrative Privacy Act protections to all individuals where systems of records maintain information on U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and visitors. Individuals may request access to their own records that are maintained in a system of records in the possession or under the control of DHS by complying with DHS Privacy Act regulations, 6 CFR Part 5.
The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register a description denoting the type and character of each system of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are contained in each system in order to make agency record keeping practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses to which their records are put, and to assist individuals to more easily find such files within the agency. Below is the description of DHS/ALL 004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System of Records.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), DHS has provided a report of this system of records to the Office of Management and Budget and to Congress.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
For general questions and for privacy issues please contact: Mary Ellen Callahan (7032350780), Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.