WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has initiated upgrades to security at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) after a recent security assessment identified several areas needing improvement.  LLNL is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS).

Over the past seven weeks, a routine, independent assessment of the security programs was conducted at LLNL by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS), including a “force-on-force” exercise, where a tactical security team plays the role of an attacking force in a simulation drill.   These and other types of exercises are held at both NNSA and DOE sites routinely and are an important tool in evaluating security. 

Following the initial HSS debrief, NNSA sent a team of headquarters and field security experts to assess the laboratory’s response to the inspection. Although the inspectors noted several very positive areas, there were other areas requiring corrective action. NNSA is evaluating the corrective actions put into place by LLNL.  HSS’s final inspection report will be completed over the next month.

NNSA Principal Deputy Bill Ostendorff said that the initial results of the LLNL inspection highlighted a number of areas that require immediate attention, and that he expected the laboratory to work closely with the NNSA Livermore Site Office to make needed improvements.  In addition, senior NNSA officials have discussed these security issues with the LLNS Board of Governors.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.  NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad. 

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