Laboratory security specialists are investigating three separate discoveries made by Laboratory personnel regarding the inventory discrepancies. The three instances involve 10 separate pieces of electronic storage, consisting of nine floppy disks and a single large-capacity storage disk. Los Alamos officials notified the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration and the University of California of the discrepancies in accordance with reporting rules and deadlines.
"This situation is totally unacceptable," said Director G. Peter Nanos. "Security is one of our most important jobs; obviously we now must look deeper into the control of all sensitive information and solve these problems."
One floppy disk was reported missing on Nov. 20, 2003. That disk was at least five years old and contained a single briefing that may not have been classified at all; however, it was marked classified because documents prepared on classified computers must be marked classified. The disk was last inventoried in February 2003, prior to the move to a new secure facility. The owner of the disk recalls ordering the destruction of several such floppy disks prior to the move, but there is no record confirming that the disk was destroyed.
Another disk was reported missing on Dec. 2, 2003. The investigation has shown that the disk most likely was destroyed in January 2002 in a group of five disks sent for secure destruction. However, no receipt for the disk was included with the receipts documenting destruction of the other four disks.
After self-identifying these two incidents, the Laboratory began a more intensive, physical inventory of every classified computer data storage device in the secure facility. The subsequent inventory resulted in the discovery on Dec. 4 of eight other inventory discrepancies.
All logs and documentation related to those eight electronic storage devices have been carefully reviewed and owners have been interviewed. While the destruction of the materials was not properly recorded and documentation maintained, resulting in inventory anomalies, to date these investigative efforts support the likelihood that the missing media were destroyed prior to the move to the secured facility.
In addition, further interviews with the Lab personnel who created the original information on the media, custodians of the media and others will provide further detailed timelines as well as information regarding the contents of the items and their possible secure disposal paths.
The investigation has not uncovered evidence of willful or malicious intent by any Laboratory personnel.
University of California Vice President for Laboratory Management Robert Foley is directing Laboratory Director Nanos to lead efforts, through the Lab's Security Division, to hold a limited security stand down, conduct a thorough search for the missing media and recommend immediate corrective actions. In addition, Foley ordered an immediate review of Laboratory computer media security and policies and for the Laboratory to immediately reaffirm accountability and responsibility for control of computer data storage devices.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.