“On October 26, 2006, I requested the Department’s Inspector General (IG) to investigate a number of matters which led to the unauthorized removal of classified materials from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

“Specifically, I asked the IG to review what the Department of Energy and its contractors did or did not do to protect classified information, and the steps that were taken to ensure that only properly qualified individuals had access to such information.

“Yesterday, I received the Inspector General’s report.  The report contains information that the Department is prohibited by law from publicly disclosing.  However, I recognize the widespread interest in the report’s findings, and so I am releasing the Inspector General’s transmittal letter to me.  I am also exploring the Department’s ability to release additional information to the public.

“The Inspector General’s report is a serious and comprehensive product.  I appreciate the quick and thorough work of that office.  The report outlines some significant deficiencies and vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.  We will move quickly to do so.

“Even before this most recent incident, the Department had begun working to improve its cyber security systems.  The findings of the IG’s report will be used to further enhance the Department's cyber security program. Today, I directed the Department’s Chief Information Officer to lead a review of the IG’s recommendations and to consider incorporating them into the Department’s cyber security policies and procedures.

“Also today, I directed that the Department’s Chief Health, Safety, and Security Officer to lead a task force to assess the policies and standards applied complex-wide for issuing and maintaining personnel security clearances.

“I expect to receive a full report on each of these taskings within 90 days.

“Regardless of the outcome of the FBI investigation, just the unauthorized removal of the classified material from the Lab marks a significant breach of security protocol and of the public trust.  Unfortunately, we cannot correct the errors of the past.  But we will learn from this incident and we will do better.”

Media contact(s):
Craig Stevens, (202) 586-4940