Highlights for October 20 - 24, 2003

Activities Underway

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Sandia National Laboratory - New Mexico (SNL-NM) Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: Inspection activities, including extensive performance testing, have been completed. An out-briefing, summarizing inspection results, and a draft report were provided to the site for their review and comment on October 24. The results of this inspection have identified concerns with security management and practices at SNL-NM and Congressional interest is high. Staff members from Senator Grassley and Congressman Shays observed some of the inspection activities during the week of October 13.

Y-12 Comprehensive Safeguards and Security Inspection: Preparations continue for the Y-12 inspection and force-on-force performance testing. The inspection plan and the document request list have been approved by management and distributed to the site.

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

CMPC Special Reviews: Onsite data collection activities for the Y-12 CMPC special review have been completed. Report development for this review is scheduled for completion this week. This report as well as those reports for the Los Alamos National Laboratory and Headquarters' reviews will undergo an internal OA review on November 10.

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 staff members continue to provide input to address inquiries from members of the working group.

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 and the site's unwillingness to cooperate. 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. An initial draft report has been provided to the site for review and comment. A closeout was conducted this week at which time a final draft report was provided.

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)

Office of Secure Transportation (OST) Emergency Management Inspection: Onsite data collection began this week for the OST emergency management inspection. This week's activities were primarily focused on an exercise evaluation. 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 Albuquerque last week with field activities continuing at PNNL and Oak Ridge this week. 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. Report development and validation is planned for completion by the end of October.

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.

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. Onsite activities were completed on October 16 and the report is being developed.

Nevada Test Site Special Review of the 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 were conducted from September 29 through October 9. The QRB has been completed and the report is being prepared for validation.

DOE FRAM: The Draft FRAM (DOE M 411.1-1C) was reviewed and comments have been developed for submittal into RevCom.

Activities Completed

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

OA S&S Procedures: Procedures regarding extracting unclassified information from classified source documents and how end-of-the-day security checks are completed have been revised and forwarded to management for approval.

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

Combined 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 was distributed this week.

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

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Public Hearing on Oversight: Provided support to the Director, OA-1 during his presentation at the DNFSB public hearing on oversight on October 21. Represented OA at a subsequent DNFSB hearing on oversight on October 23.