NIST and Fed Advisory Board Introductions

18 January 2023

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NIST Team Introductions

Barbara Cuthill

Designated 

Federal Officer

barbara.cuthill@nist.gov

Jeff Brewer

Designated 

Federal Officer 

(Backup)

jeffrey.brewer@nist.gov

Kat Megas

IoT Federal 

Working Group 

Co-Chair

kat.megas@nist.gov

Alison Kahn

IoT Federal 

Working Group 

Co-Chair

alison.kahn@nist.gov

Greg Witte

Contractor, 

Report Editor

greg.witte@nist.gov

Brad Hoehn

Contractor, 

Report Editor

noel.hoehn@nist.gov
Advisory Committee Board Member Introductions
Review of IoT Advisory

Board Charter, Scope and Expectations

Alison Kahn, NIST; Kat Megas, NIST

IoT Federal Working Group Co-conveners

18 January 2023

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Background

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• Section 9204 of the William Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act 

(NDAA) PL 116-283 calls for the creation of the Internet of Things advisory 

committee and Federal working group.

• The bill tasks both with examining barriers, especially cybersecurity 

concerns, to adoption of IoT devices in a variety of civilian use cases and 

gaining the economic benefits of those IoT devices. 

Jan 8, 2020

Developing Innovation and Growing 

the Internet of Things Act

(“DIGIT Act”)

• Preceding the NDAA is the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of 

Things Act ("DIGIT ACT“) which cleared the Senate in Jan 2020. 

• The introductory language (Section 2) identifies a growing economy of IoT 

across market sectors and a focus on furthering innovation with a convergence 

on emerging technologies like AI to position the US to lead in the development 

of technologies for IoT.

• Specifically, the bill calls out “ the appropriate prioritization of a national 

strategy with respect to the Internet of Things [that] would strengthen that 

position" and through which "the Federal Government can implement this 

technology to better deliver services to the public.”

• This remainder of the bill identifies language similar to the NDAA in the 

responsibilities of both groups. 
IoT Advisory Board Charter, Scope, Expectations

Scope: The Board shall advise the Internet of Things Working Group convened by the Secretary pursuant to 

Section 9204(b)(1) of the NDAA on matters related to the Working Group’s activities, as specified below

IoT Advisory Committee Duties

The steering committee shall advise the working group with respect to—

(i) the identification of any Federal regulations, statutes, grant practices, programs, 

budgetary or juris-dictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that 

are inhibiting, or could inhibit, the development of the Internet of Things;

(ii) situations in which the use of the Internet of Things is likely to deliver significant 

and scalable economic and societal benefits to the United States, including 

benefits from or to—

(I) smart traffic and transit technologies;

(II) augmented logistics and supply chains;

(III) sustainable infrastructure;

(IV) precision agriculture;

(V) environmental monitoring;

(VI) public safety; and

(VII) health care;

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IoT Advisory Board Charter, Scope, Expectations

(Cont.) 

Per Section 9204 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

2021, Public Law 116-283 (the Act)

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IoT Advisory Committee Duties Cont.

The steering committee shall advise the working group with respect to—

(iii) whether adequate spectrum is available to support the growing Internet of Things and 

what legal or regulatory barriers may exist to providing any spectrum needed in the 

future;

(iv) policies, programs, or multi-stakeholder activities that—

(I) promote or are related to the privacy of individuals who use or are affected by the 

Internet of Things;

(II) may enhance the security of the Internet of Things, including the security of 

critical infrastructure;

(III) may protect users of the Internet of Things; and

(IV) may encourage coordination among Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the 

Internet of Things;

(v) the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of Internet of Things 

technology by small businesses; and

(vi) any international proceeding, international negotiation, or other international 

matter affecting the Internet of Things to which the United States is or should be 

a party.
IoT Advisory Board Charter, Scope, Expectations

(Cont.) 

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• Designated Federal Officer DFO - Barbara Cuthill / Jeff Brewer will: 

- Call all Board and subcommittee meetings; prepare meeting agendas as they are set 

by the Board; approve the establishment of Board subcommittees; attend all Board and 

subcommittee meetings; adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to 

be in the public interest; and chair meetings when directed to do so by the Director of NIST.

• Meetings: 

- The Board will meet at least three times each year at the call of the DFO in consultation 

with the Board’s Chair.

• Report Completion:

- Expect to complete the report to the Federal Working Group within one year.

Charter: https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/noindex/2021/12/20/IOT-Board-Charter-20211215.pdf
Overview on IoT Federal Working Group and 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

Alison Kahn, NIST; Kat Megas, NIST

IoT Federal Working Group Co-conveners

18 January 2023

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IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

IoT Federal Working Group (IoT FWG) is comprised of 18 Federal Agencies:

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 National Science Foundation

 Consumer Product Safety Commission

 Environmental Protection Agency

 Federal Communications Commission

 Department of Transportation

 Federal Trade Commission

 Department of the Interior

 Office of Science and Technology Policy

 Air Force 

 General Services Administration

 National Institute of Standards and Technology

 Department of Homeland Security 

 Department of Energy

 Office of Management and Budget 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 Food and Drug Administration 

 Department of Agriculture

 National Telecommunications and Information 

Administration
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)):

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)): :

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities

Identify any Federal regulations, 

statutes, grant practices, budgetary or 

jurisdictional challenges, and other 

sector-specific policies that are inhibiting, 

or could inhibit, the development or 

deployment of the Internet of Things;
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)):

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities

Consider policies or programs that 

encourage and improve coordination 

among Federal agencies that have

responsibilities that are relevant to the 

objectives of this section;
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)):

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities

Consider any findings or recommendations 

made by the steering committee [IoT 

Advisory Board] and, where appropriate, 

act to implement those recommendations;
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)):

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities

Examine—

(i) how Federal agencies can benefit from utilizing

the Internet of Things;

(ii) the use of Internet of Things technology by

Federal agencies as of the date on which the 

working group performs the examination;

(iii) the preparedness and ability of Federal 

agencies to adopt Internet of Things technology as 

of the date on which the working group performs 

the examination and in the future; and

(iv) any additional security measures that Federal

agencies may need to take to—

(I) safely and securely use the Internet of

Things, including measures that ensure the 

security of critical infrastructure; and

(II) enhance the resiliency of Federal systems

against cyber threats to the Internet of Things;
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG has 5 Duties According to the FY21 NDAA (Section 9204 (b)(2)):

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Barriers / 

Opportunities

Federal 

Coordination

Recommendations 

from IoTAB

Usage / 

Preparedness

Current / Future 

Activities

In carrying out the examinations required 

under subclauses (I) and (II) of 

subparagraph (D)(iv), ensure to the 

maximum extent possible the coordination 

of the current and future activities of the 

Federal Government relating to security 

with respect to the Internet of Things.
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG expects to have the following relationship with the IoT Advisory Board:

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Related 

Duties

IoT FWG 

Duties

IoT AB 

Duties

• Examine Federal 

use / preparedness 

to use IoT internally

• Examine Federal

mechanisms to 

increase adoption of 

IoT in the U.S.

• Identify & ensure 

coordination of 

Federal IoT

activities, 

particularly security

• Identify sector-specific 

policies and regulations 

that inhibit IoT use

• Identify situations

where IoT use could 

provide significant 

benefits to the U.S.

• Advise IoT FWG on 

matters related to 

spectrum and 

information relevant to 

the IoT FWG report

• IoT AB: Develop 

recommendations or 

findings to address 

shortcomings or 

broaden adoption of 

IoT

• IoT FWG: Respond to

the findings of the IoT 

AB, and if unable to 

implement, detail 

reasons why
IoT Federal Working Group Overview & 

Relationship to IoT Advisory Board

The IoT FWG expects the following exchange of information with the IoT Advisory Board:

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IoT Federal Working Group

IoT Advisory Board

The FWG will provide 

the following inputs to 

the IoTAB:

• Consult with the 

IoTAB regarding 

expertise needed for 

the FWG report (NDAA 

Section 9204 b(4)(A))

• Provide suggestions 

on topics or items for 

the IoTAB to study 

(NDAA Section 9204 

Section b(5)(E)(ii)

The IoTAB will provide 

the following inputs to 

the FWG:

• Recommendations 

related to the Duties 

as specified in the 

FY21 NDAA—details 

in the IoTAB Charter 

(NDAA Section 9204 

b(5)(B))
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 

Responsibilities

Barbara Cuthill, NIST

IoT Advisory Board Secretariat

18 January 2023

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Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)

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• Through enactment of the 

Federal Advisory Committee 

Act (FACA) of 1972 (Public Law 

92-463), the U.S. Congress formally recognized the merits 

of seeking the advice and assistance of our nation's 

citizens. 

• At the same time, the 

Congress also sought to assure 

that advisory committees: • Provide advice that is 

relevant, objective, and 

open to the public;

• Act promptly to complete 

their work; and

• Comply with reasonable 

cost controls and record 

keeping requirements.
Selected Statutes/Regulations Influencing FACA 

Implementation

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• Government in the 

Sunshine Act – Public Law 

94-409, effective March 

12, 1977

• Federal Advisory 

Committee Act 

Amendments of 1997

• GSA Federal Advisory 

Committee Management 

Final Rule
Role of Federal Advisory Committees

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• With the expertise from advisory 

committee members, federal officials 

and the nation have access to 

information and advise on a broad 

range of issues affecting federal 

policies and programs. 

• The public is afforded an opportunity

to provide input into a process that 

may form the basis for government 

decisions.
FACA Major Requirements 

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FACA Major Requirements

• Designated Federal Officers (DFOs) oversee and manage the federal 

advisory committee

• Committees must be chartered before they can meet or conduct any 

business

• Advisory committee membership is to be fairly balanced

• Federal advisory committees are to provide independent advice that is 

not inappropriately influenced by the appointing authority or any 

special interest 

• Advisory committee meetings are required to be open to the public. 

(note: the IoT AB does not meet any of the limited exceptions for this.) 

• All advisory committee documents must be available to the public, 

with limited exceptions
Benefits of Federal Advisory Committees

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Transparency and participation 

improves citizen trust in government 

Actions based on committee advice can 

be easier to implement 

FACA requirements render advice from 

federal advisory committees credible
Designated Federal Officer

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• Ensure compliance with FACA, and any 

other applicable laws and regulations;

• Call, attend, and adjourn committee 

meetings;

• Approve agendas; • Maintain required records on costs and 

membership;

• Ensure efficient operations; • Maintain records for availability to the 

public; and

• Provide copies of committee reports to 

the Committee Management Officer for 

forwarding to the Library of Congress.
Open Access to Committee Meetings and Operations

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• Arrange meetings that are reasonably 

accessible and at convenient locations and 

times;

• Publish at least 15 days in advance notice of 

meetings in the Federal Register; 

• Open advisory committee meetings to the 

public;

• Make available for public inspection, subject 

to the Freedom of Information Act, papers 

and records, including detailed minutes of 

each meeting; and

• Maintain records of expenditures.
Meeting Minutes

-

-

-

Meeting Agenda

--

--

--

Information Will Be Available to the Public

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• Written Comments submitted to IoT 

Advisory Board

• Meeting Minutes (within 90 days of 

meeting taking place) 

• Meeting Agenda

• Draft report circulated for comment at 

meetings 

• Presentation decks used at meetings

Will be available on the IoT Advisory Board website

https://www.nist.gov/itl/applied-cybersecurity/nistcybersecurity-iot-program/iot-advisory-board

Draft Report For Comments

Written Comments

Received

Presentation Meeting 

Material
IoT Advisory Board Members

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• Represent balanced expertise from a 

sectors relevant to IoT adoption in the 

US

• Maintain focus on goal report of 

recommendations that is the primary 

objective of the IoT Advisory Board

• Adhere to sunshine and transparency 

principles by keeping work in public 

meetings 

• Coming prepared to meetings
Reminders to Members

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• Do not speak on behalf of the committee unless authorized

• Do not use their position as a member of the IoT Advisory 

Board for their own personal benefit or promotion of private 

parties

• Do not engage in “grass-roots” lobbying