[ALAC] Fwd: [icann-board] Background to the Board's letter to SSR2 review team pausing the review

[Rinalia Abdul Rahim]

FYI

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Disspain <chris.disspain at board.icann.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2017 at 2:39 PM
Subject: [icann-board] Background to the Board's letter to SSR2 review team
pausing the review
To: <so-ac-sg-cleaders at icann.org>
Cc: ICANN Board <icann-board at icann.org>


All,

On behalf of the Board, set out below is the background to the letter we
sent to the SSR2 Review Team. We hope that this background is helpful.

The Stability, Security, and Resilience Review now underway (SSR2) is
intended to provide critical input needed to evaluate ICANN’s progress in
fulfilling its core mission. Under the ICANN Bylaws, the composition of the
review team is to be determined by the community through its Supporting
Organizations and Advisory Committees.  The ICANN Board takes seriously its
responsibility to safeguard the integrity of this process and the
independence of the review as well as to ensure that ICANN resources are
deployed efficiently and effectively.

In June, the ICANN Board wrote to the SSR2 team to express concern about
the adequacy of the SSR2 work plan, terms of reference, and proposed
scope.  We heard some of these same concerns from members of the Security
and Stability Advisory Committee in late September, and the SSAC formally
advised the Board about its concerns on October 4.  The Board’s
Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC) forwarded this letter to SO/AC
chairs on the same date, and indicated that it would be providing
recommendations to the Board and discussing the concerns with SO/AC chairs
in Abu Dhabi.

On October 3, the Board wrote once again to the SSR2 team concerning its
Subgroup 2 audit plan, which proposed to audit ICANN’s internal security
policies and procedures.  We acknowledged that a general understanding of
internal security at ICANN was relevant to the work of SSR2, but considered
that an audit exceeded the scope of the review. The SSR2 team responded on
6 October.

Throughout October, the Board considered the SSAC’s advice and received
recommendations from the OEC.  On October 27, as we gathered here in Abu
Dhabi, members of the Board again met with SO/AC Chairs to convey the
Board’s view that the SSR2 Review should be paused until the SOs and ACs
had an opportunity to consider, in light of the expressed concerns, whether
adjustments are needed to achieve the purpose of the review.  We realise
that our message to the gathered chairs may not have been clear.

The Board has not usurped the community’s authority with respect to this
review. Rather, we are asking the SOs and ACs to consider the concerns we
have heard and determine whether or not adjustments are needed.  We believe
that a temporary pause in the SSR2 work while this consideration is under
way is a sensible approach designed to ensure stakeholders can reach a
common understanding on the appropriate scope and work plan, which will ensure
the efficient use of ICANN’s resources as the review continues to fulfill
its mission.
We stand ready to assist the SOs and ACs in any way so that stakeholders
can resume the important work of the SSR review as soon as they are ready.

Regards,

Chris Disspain




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