An Information Collection Request is the formal package a U.S. agency submits for approval when it wants regulated parties to provide information. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, the request typically describes what data will be collected, why it is needed, who must provide it, and how the agency will use or retain it. This process limits unnecessary reporting and makes data collection more transparent and standardized.
In cybersecurity, an ICR can shape what organizations must document, such as incident reports, security attestations, asset inventories, or risk assessments. That matters because security programs are often judged by evidence, not claims. Well-designed collections can improve oversight and force better logging, recordkeeping, and internal review. They also create sensitive data sets, so defenders must protect submissions, validate accuracy, and watch for phishing or spoofed reporting portals that try to steal compliance information.