Highlights for October 13 - 17, 2003

Activities Underway

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Sandia National Laboratory - New Mexico (SNL-NM) Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: Extensive performance testing is being conducted this week. Congressional interest is high with staff members Charles Bopp from Senator Grassley and Vincent Chase from Congressman Shays offices' observing the inspection activities.

Y-12 Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: Preparations continue for the Y-12 inspection and force-on-force performance testing. Document requests and an inspection plan are being developed.

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

CMPC Special Reviews: The next special review is scheduled forY-12. The draft report for this review, as well as those reports for the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) reviews, will undergo internal review on November 10.

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 53 DOE/NNSA sites and is in progress for one last site. One site could not be scanned due to the employment of blocking technologies at the site. A final project report will be issued this fall.

Cyber Security Inspection at the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL): An inspection of both SNL locations is underway and includes network security testing and a programmatic review of key elements of the SNL cyber security program. The team is currently in the report development phase.

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. The team is currently reviewing program documentation and conducting coordination with the site.

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. Briefings of the inspection results have been provided to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management; Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology; and Under Secretary for Energy, Science, and the Environment. The Final report has been provided to the Director of the Office of Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance (OA-1) for review and final approval before printing and distribution.

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 completed at Headquarters last week with field activities beginning at Albuquerque and continuing at PNNL. The OA review team is also 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.

Combined Inspection of the East Tennessee Technology Park: OA-30 and OA-50 are reviewing the approved final corrective action plan transmitted from the Oak Ridge Operations Office on October 1.

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

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. Briefings of the inspection results have been provided to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management; Director, Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology; and Under Secretary for Energy, Science, and the Environment. The Final report has been provided to the Director of the Office of Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance (OA-1) for review and final approval before printing and distribution.

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.

Office of Repository Development Management Assessment: At the request of senior management, this special assessment is being conducted of the Office of Repository Development at Yucca Mountain, NV.

Nevada Test Site Special Review Work for Others Program: At the request of the site manager, OA is conducting a special review of the Work for Others Program. On-site activities have been conducted and a draft report is being developed.

Activities Completed

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

Annual Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA) review of DOE Systems: Completed distribution of the annual report on the status of the DOE Classified Information Systems Security Program. This report is required by FISMA and has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for submission to Congress. Activities have already been initiated in support of next year's annual report.