Secretary of Energy Launches Initiatives To Bolster Security at Nuclear Facilities Improvements To Impact Cybersystems, Guard Force Protection, and Consolidation of Nuclear Materials
AIKEN, S.C. - Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced a set of sweeping new initiatives today to improve security across the Energy Department's nationwide network of laboratories and defense facilities, particularly those housing weapons-grade nuclear material. Addressing a gathering of top security officers from across the DOE complex, Abraham noted that the Energy Department, which develops and maintains the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, is responsible for protecting critical national defense assets that "simply put, must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands." The Secretary unveiled initiatives to expand the capabilities of DOE security personnel, including possibly federalizing some security units currently managed by contractors; consolidate sensitive nuclear material into fewer locations; enhance protections of classified computer information; upgrade security systems at key facilities; and make managers more receptive to security concerns. "Since the stakes are so high" Abraham told the security officers at DOE's Savannah River Site, "everything is on the table," including the possibilities of common labor-contract language for security groups across the DOE complex or establishing "a special elite federal force" to protect the most sensitive installations. To maximize the effectiveness of DOE security forces, Abraham said the DOE will consider the creation of a specialized security contingent to guard the department's high-priority nuclear facilities, with capabilities similar to the military's Delta Force or Navy SEAL units. Abraham acknowledged recent reports of security lapses, such as lost keys, at some DOE sites, but he called the incidents rare. "But frankly, rare or not, they are unacceptable, and the failure of any and all levels of management to address instances such as these will not be tolerated," he said. In a move to reduce the number of nuclear facilities that need high-level protection, Abraham proposed consolidating special nuclear material - the type used for weapons and other sensitive applications - into fewer sites. The consolidation effort would remove the most-sensitive nuclear material from Los Alamos National Laboratory's Technical Area 18 and the Sandia Pulse Reactor facility in New Mexico, consolidate material stored at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, and assess whether defense-related work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California could be relocated, allowing removal of special nuclear material from that facility.
To improve the protection of sensitive information, Abraham announced a Cyber Security Enhancement Initiative to help "protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all our information systems to assure that we can continue to perform our missions even while under cyber attack." The initiative, to be implemented within the next year, would deploy intrusion-detection systems to guard against potential cyber attacks, improve procedures to guard against internet threats and enhance the security of on-line information. Citing past problems with computer disks and hard drives containing classified information, Abraham proposed "an initiative to move to diskless workstations for classified computing" to allow sensitive functions such as weapons design to be performed in a more-secure diskless environment. Addressing the issue of lost keys and key cards, Abraham said he intends to "do away with the use of mechanical keys as an important part of our protection system" and replace them with sophisticated new technologies that will allow "a keyless security environment, where access is not afforded by any physical item or object that can be lost or stolen." Abraham also called for regular reviews of DOE security standards and procedures to ensure "a modern efficient, effective guard force able to meet 21st century threats" and for new programs to train security officers and test their readiness to respond to attacks or attempts to infiltrate facilities. He also discussed initiatives to recruit and train the best possible candidates for DOE security jobs and to increase employee retention rates. The initiatives include faster background checks for employee security clearances and an intern program to help recruit "highly qualified technical personnel in the areas of cyber security, nuclear material control and physical security." To ensure that DOE's security establishment functions effectively, the Secretary also called for "a change in our management culture" to improve the way the department accepts, analyzes and responds to criticisms and concerns from outside the department as well as from employees, who Abraham said should be confident about raising questions or concerns without fear of retribution. "If we are able to implement a system - a culture - where people can legitimately air concerns, then everyone will benefit. Our workforce will be more effective, the public's confidence in this department will improve, and America's security will be greatly enhanced," he said. "We are committed to making bold changes where necessary," Abraham said, adding that the new security initiatives "are designed to build and support the most robust and motivated protective force in the world."
->//81memories.com//
_________________________________________________________________
Getting married? Find tips, tools and the latest trends at MSN Life Events. http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=married
