What does the System of Records Notice (SORN) require agencies to publish?

The System of Records Notice (SORN) requires agencies to publish a notice of its systems of records in the Federal Register. This is a crucial element of the Privacy Act of 1974, which mandates that federal agencies inform the public about the existence of their systems of records and the types of information they collect and manage. By publishing a SORN, agencies provide transparency regarding their data collection practices, helping to ensure accountability and protect individual privacy rights.

The key role of a SORN is to inform the public about the specific records maintained, including the purpose of the records, categories of individuals covered by the system, and the procedures for accessing and amending those records. This serves to uphold the principle of open government and allows individuals to understand how their personal information may be used or disclosed.

The other options do not align with the purpose of a SORN. Employee performance reports focus on individual assessments rather than the management of records. Retention schedules pertain to how long records are kept but do not relate directly to the SORN requirements. Regulations governing insider threat programs involve policies and procedures for identifying and mitigating insider threats but are not the focus of a SORN.