Monday, June 14, 1999
Editor's note: The following information was supplied to the Newsbulletin by the Security and Safeguards (S) Division to help keep employees informed about issues relating to security at the Lab.
Demonstrated performance reduces negative publicity
Recent publicity about Laboratory security may have convinced some that the Lab cannot protect its resources and information. However, the Laboratory's strong emphasis on security is crystal clear to those of us who handle the more than 6.5 million classified documents onsite, work in the 158 security areas, conduct physical inventories and verification measurements of our special nuclear material, test thousands of alarm sensors, assess security topics and line organizations or aggressively work to correct security deficiencies. So, how do we reverse this negative perception?
We can go a long way to improving perceptions through documented performance under the Department of Energy/University of California contract. Each of these security functions is covered by Appendix F of the contract. University representatives brief the Lab's contractual performance to the highest levels within DOE. The General Accounting Office and the Congress constantly scrutinize results.
The Laboratory's security performance under the contract has been outstanding through the second quarter of FY99, with one exception: infractions. With the help of employees, 97.4 percent of security-related corrective action plans are on schedule. During recent physical inventories, 99.59 percent of thousands of Special Nuclear Material items were properly labeled and 99.88 percent were in their authorized locations. This far exceeds DOE requirements. The Plutonium Facility at TA-55 and the CMR Building maintained a 95 percent confidence that 90 percent of all random inventoried items were without defect. In addition, TA-55 and CMR personnel conducted 283 nonrandom verification measurements, and TA-18 received funding to complete 303 verification measurements before the end of the fiscal year. Electronic technicians from Security Systems (S-3) tested thousands of perimeter intrusion detection and assessment systems and concluded our probability of detecting intruders far exceeds the DOE standard. The Protective Force maintained better than 90 percent on-time response rate in 22 Alarm Response Assessment exercises and passed 97 percent of all performance and written tests.
However, the Laboratory must reduce the number of compromises and security infractions to below the four-year rolling average. Despite a goal of zero safeguards and security violations, the Laboratory has experienced several confirmed security infractions.
Some believe this increase in reported security deficiencies reflects a more aggressive security-awareness campaign. Cleared Laboratory personnel know better what to look for and consistently report incidents of security concern. However, in keeping with Laboratory Director John Browne's goal of zero safeguards and security violations, everyone must strive to eliminate security infractions and compromises. Aggressive efforts in this area will demonstrate publicly that the Laboratory far exceeds contractual expectations and will lead to recognition of the Laboratory's positive security accomplishments. Remember: Security is everyone's business.
-- Mike Irving, Standards team leader, (S-2)
Astronomy Days at the Bradbury Science Museum
June 15 through 29 are Astronomy Days at The Bradbury Science Museum located at 15th and Central in downtown Los Alamos. Following are the events for the week of June 15 through 19. Events for June 23 through 29 will be published shortly.
In case of a cancellation or change in programming, check the Newsbulletin or the local papers, or call the museum before coming to a particular program. The latest information also is available on the museum web site at www.lanl.gov/external/museum.
All events are free and open to the public. Registration and some restrictions apply to the Fenton Hill Observatory tour. Call 7-4444, ext. 0, for more information.
On Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Galen Gisler of Space and Remote Sensing Sciences (NIS-2) will talk about the observatory at Fenton Hill and the potential contribution of findings to astrophysical research, including gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, variable stars, comets and asteroids. Exciting results are happening at the observatory in transient phenomena, so don't miss this opportunity to hear the latest information.
Gisler also will introduce students with the Earthwatch Institute working at Fenton Hill for two weeks. Earthwatch is a nonprofit organization that offers the public opportunities to work side by side with research scientists and scholars. The Laboratory is hosting eight students for the two-week period.
Gisler's talk will appeal to middle school age groups and above.
On Wednesday, there's a tour of the Fenton Hill Observatory. Call 7-4444, ext. 0, to reserve a spot for the tour and observation. Maximum attendance is 30 people and registration will be on a first-come basis. Children must be over 10 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Participants must be U.S. citizens. The tour starts at 8 p.m., and directions to the site will be given when you register. Gisler will conduct the tour.
On Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Geoffrey Reeves of Space and Atmospheric Sciences (NIS-1) will talk about space storms, Northern Lights and their effect on your world. We know Northern Lights are caused by blasts of energy from the sun that produce magnetic "storms" in space. Over the next few years as the sun becomes more active, the number and strength of these storms will increase, having a potential affect on our high-tech society. The talk will be enjoyed by the middle school age student and above.
On Saturday, the Pajarito Astronomers will hold a Dark Night at Overlook Park in White Rock. Viewing will begin around 9 p.m. Telescopes are provided for an unforgettable look at the stars. All ages will enjoy this night out. Call 7-4444, ext. 0, for directions.
Primary prevention Primary Prevention can be defined as taking steps to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease before there is a problem. The American Heart Association recommends controlling, treating or changing certain risk factors, such as use of tobacco, blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, inactivity and diabetes. These risk factors can be controlled through routine medical check-ups, education, proper diet and physical activity. American Heart Association Guidelines 1. Cessation of smoking 2. Blood Pressure below 140/90 3. Cholesterol less than 200, with HDL levels above 35 and LDL level below 130. 4. Physical activity three to four times a week for at least 30 minutes per session. |
Former Cochiti Pueblo governor to present colloquium
Joseph Suina, past governor of Cochiti Pueblo and education professor at the University of New Mexico, will present a Director's Colloquium at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday in the Physics Building Auditorium. In his presentation,"From Bows and Arrows to the Atom Bomb," Suina will explore the relationship between the Laboratory and pueblos. For more information, see the June 11 Daily Newsbulletin.
Diane Weir of the Computing, Information and Communications (CIC) Division talks about the Lab's year 2000 planning efforts on the Morning Show with Mark Bentley Thursday on radio station KRSN. Weir is the Lab's Year 2000 Project Team leader. The new century may pose a problem for some organizations because many computer systems and programs recognize two-digit date codes and not four-digit codes. Hence, some computer systems may fail on Jan. 1, 2000, because they recognize 2000 as 1900. More information about the Lab's year 2000 readiness effort is available at http://www.lanl.gov/projects/ia/year2000/ online. Photo by Steve Sandoval |
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Lab Counsel offers guidance on dealings with investigators The Laboratory Counsel Office has issued a memorandum that provides guidance to employees who might be asked for documents or interviews by investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or U.S. Attorney's Office. Click here for the memo. | |
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Editor's Note: In recognition of National Men's Health Week,
June 14 through 20, the Daily Newsbulletin is publishing a health tip every
day this week. The information will include methods of detecting certain
health problems during early stages. Topics to be covered during Men's Health
Week include heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, cholesterol, colon cancer,
prostate cancer, testicular cancer and alcoholism. National Men's Health
Week was created to increase knowledge of men's health issues, especially
early detection of illness through education and routine medical visits.
For more about Men's Health Week, contact the Wellness Center (ESH-2) at
7-7166. To receive a free health booklet, call 1-800-955-2002. Additional
information about Men's Health Week can be found at 
Year 2000 planning efforts subject of radio program