Guard Your Tech Secrets: State Dept's 60-Day Paperwork Call
Published Date: 1/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from businesses and nonprofits about their tech security plans, background checks, and confidentiality agreements. They’re asking for public feedback by March 23, 2026, before renewing this paperwork requirement. This process affects about 10,000 groups and takes roughly 10 hours each to complete, helping keep sensitive tech safe without adding new costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory ITAR Recordkeeping for Businesses
If you run a business or nonprofit that relies on ITAR Sec. 126.18, you must keep technology security/clearance plans, employee screening records, and non‑disclosure agreements and make them available to the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) or its agents for civil and criminal law enforcement upon request. The collection is mandatory, covers about 10,000 respondents, and the Department estimates an average of 10 hours per response (total estimated burden 100,000 hours); public comments are accepted through March 23, 2026 (OMB Control Number 1405-0195).
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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Next: 2026-01018, 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request To Change End-User, End-Use and/or Destination of Hardware and Open General Licenses
The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from people or businesses who export or move defense hardware and licenses, especially when they change who uses it, how it’s used, or where it goes. They’re asking for public feedback for 60 days before renewing this process, which takes about an hour per form. If you’re involved in exporting defense stuff, this affects you and your paperwork time!