Recommendations for Executive Action

1. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOE has developed a draft procedure that applies to all DOE headquarters and field elements. Its objectives include: (1) establishing minimum requirements for the clearing, sanitization, and destruction of automated information systems storage media, memory, and hardware that have contained classified information and (2) ensuring that all information has been removed from unclassified computer equipment. In addition, the draft procedure defines terms and establishes what needs to be done to clear, sanitize, or destroy storage media, memory, and hardware. As of July 2003, DOE officials stated that the draft procedure was revised in July 2003 to reflect changes in requirements and the Office of the CIO was working to schedule the policy for formal approval. In August 2004, a DOE official stated that this draft had been finalized and issued in February 2004 as "DOE N 205.12 Clearing, Sanitizing, and Destroying Information System Storage Media, Memory Devices, and Other Related Hardware".

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Energy should develop and implement standardized written procedures on how to effectively clear hard drives of all software, information and data.

   Agency Affected: Department of Energy

2. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOE has developed a draft procedure that applies to all DOE headquarters and field elements. For classified drives, the procedure outlines requirements for the independent verification that appropriate procedures have been followed and that classified information has been overwritten. For clearing and sanitizing unclassified computer equipment, the draft procedure states that DOE organizations must include in written procedures a method for independently verifying the process. As of July 2003, DOE officials stated that the draft procedure was revised in July 2003 to reflect changes in requirements and the Office of the CIO was working to schedule the policy for formal approval. In August 2004, a DOE official stated that this draft had been finalized and issued in February 2004 as "DOE N 205.12 Clearing, Sanitizing, and Destroying Information System Storage Media, Memory Devices, and Other Related Hardware".

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Energy should require an independent verification that these procedures have been followed prior to turning in computers for excess to ensure that employees and contractor personnel of all DOE organizations are in compliance.

   Agency Affected: Department of Energy

3. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: DOE has developed a draft procedure that applies to all DOE headquarters and field elements. The draft procedure states that local sanitization procedures must be addressed in each DOE organization's computer security training and awareness program. It also states that the heads of departmental elements are responsible for ensuring that personnel receive adequate training in both the requirements set forth in the procedures and the local sanitization procedures. As of July 2003, DOE officials stated that the draft procedure was revised in July 2003 to reflect changes in requirements and the Office of the CIO was working to schedule the policy for formal approval. In August 2004, a DOE official stated that this draft had been finalized and issued in February 2004 as "DOE N 205.12 Clearing, Sanitizing, and Destroying Information System Storage Media, Memory Devices, and Other Related Hardware".

   Recommendation: The Secretary of Energy should emphasize these procedures in the computer security training and awareness program that is required for all DOE employees and contractor personnel.

   Agency Affected: Department of Energy

Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »