Overview
This Code of Conduct documents the expectations for users of VINCE and coordinated vulnerability disclosure processes led by the CERT/CC.
Definitions
Harassment: We define harassment as unwelcome or hostile behavior, including speech that intimidates, creates discomfort, or interferes with a person's participation or opportunity for participation; verbal threats or demands; degrading language; intimidation; harassing photography, screen shots, or audio or video recording; inappropriate physical contact; sexual imagery; unwelcome sexual attention; stalking; unsolicited physical contact; and sustained disruption of the coordination process, including case handling workflows, presentations, and other events.
VINCE platform: The software service that the CERT/CC provides to enable its coordinated vulnerability disclosure practice.
VINCE user: Any user of the VINCE platform, including CERT/CC analysts, researchers, vendors, and other participants.
CERT/CC analyst: Individuals authorized to represent the CERT/CC within the VINCE platform.
VINCE Code of Conduct
We believe that successful vulnerability coordination requires an open exchange of ideas. This exchange is only possible in an environment that fosters dignity, understanding, and mutual respect, and where participants recognize the inherent worth of every person and group.
Harassment is never appropriate.
We pledge to make participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.
We pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community.
We have adopted this code of conduct to define the behaviors we support (and don't support) in our vulnerability disclosure coordination practice.
We expect VINCE users to follow this code of conduct. We expect offenders who are asked to stop their harassing behavior to comply immediately.
We do not tolerate any form of harassment or offensive behavior in the context of our coordinated vulnerability disclosure practice, which includes the VINCE platform.
If a VINCE user engages in harassing behavior, the offender may be suspended from further participation in the VINCE platform.
Examples of behavior that contributes to a positive environment for our community include:
| Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
|
Scope
This Code of Conduct applies across the VINCE platform, however we expect and encourage respectful and non-harassing behavior from all parties we engage with.
Reporting abuse
Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported to the CERT/CC using the private message to CERT/CC mechanism within VINCE. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated promptly and fairly.
Instructions for using the private message feature of VINCE can be found here.
All CERT/CC analysts are obligated to respect the privacy and security of the reporter of any incident.
Responsibilities
The CERT/CC is responsible for clarifying and enforcing our standards of acceptable behavior and will take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any behavior that the CERT/CC deems inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.
CERT/CC analysts have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject comments, issues, and other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, and will communicate reasons for moderation decisions when appropriate.
Other corrective actions may include, but are not limited to:
- A private, written warning from the CERT/CC, providing clarity around the nature of the violation and an explanation of why the behavior was inappropriate.
- A warning with consequences for continued behavior.
- A temporary ban from use of VINCE for a specified period of time.
- A permanent ban from VINCE.
Persistent or recurring offenses from multiple members of an organization may result in consequences for the organization as well.
References
Portions of this document are adapted from
The Contributor Covenant, version 2.0, available at https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/2/0/code_of_conduct/
- The FLOCON Code of Conduct, available at https://resources.sei.cmu.edu/asset_files/Brochure/2015_015_001_447225.pdf