Weekly Highlights for September 30 – October 4, 2002

 

Activities Underway

 

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

 

The Protective Force (PF) inspection team leader is revising performance test standards as part of recommendations developed by the OA working group to enhance PF inspections.

 

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

 

OA-20 has initiated coordination activities with representatives in DOE’s Office of Energy Assurance to support an assessment of cyber security vulnerabilities associated infrastructure assets under the control of an electrical power utility.  This effort is intended to support the transfer cyber security investigation capabilities to Office of Energy Assurance in support the Department’s efforts to protect critical energy infrastructure assets throughout the United States.  An onsite coordination meeting is scheduled for October 9.  Onsite assessment activities are scheduled for the week of October 28.  A Performance Test Agreement for the scanning activities has been drafted. 

 

OA-20 has initiated planning activities for the upcoming safeguards and security inspection at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Team rosters and assignments have been proposed. 

 

OA-20 personnel have concluded activities to evaluate the Chicago Operations Office cyber security program.  A draft report is being prepared.

 

OA-20 personnel have initiated a special study (Perimeter Scanning Project) to map and identify vulnerabilities in DOE computer networks exposed to potential attack from the Internet.  A project team has been formed.  Initial tasks include development of a project plan, creation of a database to store scanning data, and the identification of the scope of DOE computer networks through both internal and external sources.  Outreach activities to communicate the scope and objectives of the project have been initiated.  An announcement memorandum with a broad distribution list has been prepared.  Significant activities are ongoing to develop technical methodologies and procedures to be used in the project. 

 

OA-20 personnel are developing a concept paper to establish an unannounced cyber security performance testing capability within the Office.  This initiative is intended to provide a more real-world environment to test the security of unclassified computer networks from remote locations.

 

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

 

The onsite validation/closeout visit was conducted for the Safety and Emergency Management Inspection of the Nevada Test Site.  The final draft report was provided to the site with formal comments due October 21.

 

OA-30 and OA-50 continue to plan for the combined review at Pantex.  Biweekly conference calls are occurring to coordinate the upcoming review.  An additional 2-day site visit to finalize tabletop preparation efforts is planned.

 

OA-30 and OA-50 are in the initial stages of planning for an evaluation of the Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico.

 

OA-30 and NA-41 met with the Director and staff of the NNSA Office of Operations and Readiness (NA-124) to discuss the path forward for establishing an appropriate basis for the Kansas City Plant (KCP) emergency management program.  NNSA (i.e. NA-10) intends to direct KCP to follow the necessary and sufficient process to justify continuation of the “industrial standards” approach.  OA-30 (and NA-41) continue to have concerns that the KCP program does not have an adequate technical basis, and that the necessary and sufficient process may not resolve the concern.

 

Office of Environment, Safety and Health Evaluations (OA-50)

 

OA-50 staff will revise the report that analyzes independent environmental protection program assessments that have been conducted at DOE facilities over the past several years.

 

Comments on the revised DOE Order 470.2B, “Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance Program” were received from the FMC.  Meetings and follow-up discussions are being conducted with various organizations to seek final resolution.

 

The Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the Hanford (PFP specific) safety management inspection was disapproved by EM-1 in a memorandum dated August 19, 2002.  The CAP was to be revised and resubmitted within 30 days of aforementioned memorandum.

 

A final corrective action plan for the safety and emergency management inspection at LLNL has been requested. 

 

Corrective action plans for the Nevada Test Site inspection and comments on the report have been requested.

 

Coordination of the upcoming safety and emergency management inspection at the Pantex Plant continues.  Biweekly teleconferences are being conducted with the site to coordinate activities.

 

OA has requested an overall schedule of activities and copies of completed reports regarding the status of line actions taken to address the DNFSB concerns on the effectiveness of ISM for BJC activities at OR.  Many of the documents have been recovered, but an overall schedule is yet to be provided.  A follow-up meeting will be scheduled upon receipt of the requested documents.

 

Initial discussions are being held with the Office of Kirtland site operations and Sandia National Laboratories in preparation for the scoping visit.

 

Activities Completed

 

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

 

OA-10 conducted a planning meeting this week at ANL-W and the Chicago Operations Office in preparation for the scheduled inspection.

 

OA-10 completed CMPC Special Review of the Nevada Operations Office and is preparing the draft report for the internal review on October 7.

 

Office of Environment, Safety and Health Evaluations (OA-50)

 

The validation and out briefing for the NTS safety and emergency management inspection was completed.

 

The plan for the Pantex Plant inspection of safety and emergency management was approved and issued.

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