Highlights for October 6 - 10, 2003

Activities Underway

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

SNL-NM Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: The inspection team is analyzing information collected during the last on-site visit and has begun to prepare portions of the inspection report. The next site visit will include extensive performance testing.

Y-12 Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: Onsite planning activities were conducted this week at Y-12 to coordinate inspection and force-on-force performance testing. The inspection team has begun to develop a document request list and an inspection plan.

Special Review of Protective Force Management and Capabilities: Data collection will continue at the Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico (SNL-NM). The data collected at SNL-NM will be used in the overall evaluation of the Department's protective force capabilities.

CMPC Special Reviews: The next special review is scheduled to be conducted at Y-12. The draft report for this review, as well as those reports for the Nevada Test Site and Sandia National Laboratories reviews, will undergo internal review in November.

Nuclear Material Accounting Steering Committee: A meeting of the support staff for the committee was conducted to discuss how to achieve savings through better integration of the Department's current materials tracking systems.

Policy for the Classification of Sigma Information: At the direction of the Deputy Secretary, a working group has been established to review the current policy for the classification of Sigma information. OA-10 participated in this week's inaugural meeting of the working group.

Explosives Data Base: Work on the compilation of an initial database continues.

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

Perimeter Scanning Project: In partnership with the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), OA-20 is conducting a special study (Perimeter Scanning Project) to map out and characterize the DOE network perimeter. This effort is being undertaken to establish a baseline understanding of the magnitude and make-up of DOE computer systems exposed to the Internet in order to improve the Department's protection posture. All anticipated testing agreements have been signed and testing has been completed for 52 DOE/NNSA sites. Testing of the final two sites is ongoing. A final project report will be issued this fall.

Cyber Security Inspection at the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL): The inspection of both SNL locations includes network security testing and a programmatic review of key elements of the SNL cyber security program. The team is currently visiting SNL California and will return to SNL New Mexico to develop the inspection report.

Cyber Security Inspection at the Y-12 Plant: Planning activities continue in preparation for a cyber security inspection at the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Document requests and technical assessment protocols to support network security testing have been provided to the site.

FY04 FISMA Review of Office of Intelligence: The Office of Intelligence (IN) has requested that OA conduct the Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA) review for intelligence systems in FY04. An initial meeting was held between OA and IN to discuss coordination and begin planning for this activity.

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

Inspection of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL): OA-30 and OA-50 have completed the combined environment, safety, and health and emergency management inspection. The final report is undergoing technical editing, and is scheduled to be published next week. Briefings of the inspection results have been provided to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management and the Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. A briefing is being arranged for Robert Card, Under Secretary for Energy, Science, and the Environment.

Office of Secure Transportation (OST) Emergency Management Inspection: Preparations continue for the OST emergency management inspection. This evaluation will determine how effectively OST has prepared for and is capable of responding to a simulated accident as well as assess the OST emergency management program elements.

Special Review of the DOE Polygraph Program: Data collection was initiated at Headquarters this week with field activities to continue in Albuquerque. The review team is comprised of representatives from the Offices of Economic Impact and Diversity; Science; and Management, Budget and Evaluation. This special review is being conducted at the request of the Deputy Secretary to evaluate management and personnel issues.

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

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): Preparations continue for conducting an ES&H evaluation at PNNL. The scoping visit was completed on September 12 and a detailed evaluation plan is being developed to guide the onsite data collection.

Yucca Mountain Management Assessment: Onsite data collection activities have begun.

Nevada Test Site Special Review Work for Others Program: Onsite inspection activities have begun.

Activities Completed

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Policy Review: OA staff provided comments on draft Order 142.X, Unclassified Foreign Visits and Assignments.

SNL-NM Special Review Corrective Action Plans: Proposed corrective action plans have been reviewed and a response has been developed for management approval