December 08 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine

Goal: Implement an information security system that reduces risk while providing exemplary service and productivity

Lab closing out Security Compliance Order

The Laboratory is in the homestretch implementing the Security Compliance Order issued by Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman in 2007. The compliance order directed Los Alamos National Security, LLC to correct longstanding deficiencies in the Lab's classified information and information security programs.

Meeting this most recent action means implementing and accrediting an approved set of technical, managerial, and procedural safeguards to increase the security of the Laboratory information systems—both classified and unclassified—by December 12.

“It's been the managerial and technical equivalent of a tsunami, but complying with the order strengthens our security posture," said Alyn Ford of Departmental Computing Services and project leader for this initiative. “It also means we are leading the effort within the Complex to devise a strategy for accrediting our information safeguards to NNSA standards."

The team charged with leading this effort faced the formidable task of conducting an inventory and then building the plans to accredit 14 unclassified systems with more than 20,000 desktop and server assets. Chief Information Officer Tom Harper wanted a sustainable, risk-based process, which the team devised and the Los Alamos Site Office approved. At the same time, all of the Lab's classified systems had to be re-accredited to new guidance as well.

Caroline Zerkle of Engineering and Engineering Sciences, project leader for the Security Compliance Order, noted that many of the employees working nights and weekends to accomplish the final action were the same individuals sustaining the Lab's day-to-day operations, fighting off cyber attacks, and implementing improvements to information technology and security.

“We're all proud and amazed at what this team has accomplished as we achieve accreditation and close out the Order," said Zerkle. “And we're still standing!"

Other Headlines

• An eye on the environment
• Making spirits bright
• Adjust and monitor
• Creating portals to science
• Detective files: Frank Naranjo
• My View: Listening to community leaders (Kurt Steinhaus)
• Kudos
• Notebook
• Our Goals: Lab closing out Security Compliance Order
• Spotlight: End of year wishes from the director