Nuclear Security: Improving Correction of Security Deficiencies at DOE's Weapons Facilities
RCED-93-10
Published: Nov 16, 1992. Publicly Released: Jan 29, 1993.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the efforts of: (1) Department of Energy (DOE) contractors to correct security deficiencies found at contractor-operated nuclear weapons facilities; and (2) DOE to ensure that contractors adequately corrected deficiencies.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | To improve contractor compliance with DOE requirements for correcting security deficiencies, the Secretary of Energy should ensure that contractors conduct and document the required analyses (root cause, risk assessment, and cost-benefit) or, when contractors have decided that the deficiency is such that it is unnecessary to conduct one or more of these analyses, that they document the justification for their decision. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE Order 5634.1B requires contractors to submit a response identifying corrective actions for each finding within 30 days after receiving documents noting the deficiency. DOE has modified this order to more clearly state the requirements for the conduct of root cause analysis, risk assessment, and cost-benefit analysis.
|
| Department of Energy | To improve contractor compliance with DOE requirements for correcting security deficiencies, the Secretary of Energy should assess the extent of inadequate verification and, if verification is a problem, require that contractors verify and document that corrective actions are complete and adequate. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE 5634.1B requires contractors to take corrective action and field offices to verify that corrective action has been taken. Training has been provided to the field offices on the safeguards and security management information system. Management control and verification of corrective action have been implemented.
|
| Department of Energy | To improve DOE oversight of contractors' deficiency correction activities, the Secretary of Energy should ensure that DOE field offices review and respond to contractors' corrective action plans within the DOE-required time and document their review and response. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE Order 5634.1B requires field offices to verify the completion of corrective actions. With the new computer mainframe system at DOE headquarters, accuracy and timeliness of corrective actions are more susceptible to management control. Training has been conducted to emphasizes this requirement.
|
| Department of Energy | To improve DOE oversight of contractors' deficiency correction activities, the Secretary of Energy should validate, through performance testing, that the corrective actions taken are effective and complete and adequately document the validation actions taken. |
Closed – Implemented
Performance testing is recommended to ensure that the vulnerability analysis is still valid. According to DOE Order 5630.16A, any time there are situations that change a site's security status, field offices are required to ensure that corrective actions or commensurate measures are implemented. Also, site safeguards and security plans are required to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The provisions of this order are being implemented.
|
| Department of Energy | To improve DOE oversight of contractors' deficiency correction activities, the Secretary of Energy should assess field office staffing to ensure that sufficient qualified staff are available to effectively carry out safeguard and security requirements. |
Closed – Implemented
DOE Order 5630.15, "Safeguards and Security Training Program," places standardized training with the Central Training Academy. The Academy staff have completed a professional development program for security disciplines at all levels. They also assist new employees with training on the safeguards and security management information system. By using the security affairs training program, field offices are now assured that their staff are qualified in several security disciplines.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Atomic energy defense activitiesAutomated security systemsBuilding inspectionContract oversightContract performanceGOCOHomeland securityNuclear weapons plant safetyNuclear weapons plant securitySafety regulationSafety standardsSystems compatibilityRisk assessment