nuke labs security concerns rise - energy storage devices

A confidential floppy disk lost by the government's nuclear weapons lab was found, but officials were very nervous --
Keep a lid on the details of the incident.
The disk was listed as missing in Sandia National Lab's inventory in June 30.
The floppy disk came from a military organization, the lab said.
"The disk is always under the control of the individual authorized to own it," said Ron Dery, Sandia's vice president of integrated security and chief security officer, on Friday.
Detry cited a program error in disk transfer between lab organizations, but lab officials declined to comment on where the disk was found or any other details.
"We are relieved that the disk has been found.
But it seems to me that the nature of the recent attempted incident was too close to comfort, "director Sandia C.
Said Paul Robinson.
"We have to find better ways and procedures to ensure the protection of this material.
"Sandia officials briefed the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Agency on the issue.
Robinson said he had asked Detry to lead a task force to improve the management of confidential electronic information and mobile media.
The Sandia incident followed another security breach at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in a special inventory, where two movable data storage devices identified only as having confidential information were lost.
Peter Nanos, director of Los Alamos labs, tired of the security hole at the facility in northern New Mexico, almost all work stopped and called for ridicule of the "Cowboys" for a final showdown.
On Friday, he took unprecedented steps to expand his position.
Almost all laboratory activities are classified.
"We are doing this to ensure the safe operation of this lab and to meet our national security obligations," Nanos said in a memo to all employees . ".
He said that there will be exceptions to his order, so that the key tasks and the basic national security functions will continue to increase.
On the second day of the Department of Management Laboratory at the University of California, Nanos announced that it would stop the classification of the laboratory.
The move came after the security failure of two electronic data storage devices lost last week.
Nanos blamed the "cowboy" who did not follow the rules on the handling of sensitive materials and said: "I don't care how many people I have to fire in order to make it stop.
"If you think the rules are stupid, if you think it's a joke to follow the rules, please quit now and save me trouble," he said . ".
The lab, Nanos told the staff. wide stand-
Disappointment is not due to a lack of confidence in them, but an opportunity to reflect on their responsibility and ensure that they can do their work safely and reliably.
Nanos said: "The people who believe in their dedication to science or our mission have replaced our commitment to safety, security and environmental compliance, which puts all of us at risk.
"This false belief puts our personal safety at work, puts our national security in the position of relying on the protection of confidential information, and puts our career at risk.
Although lab spokesman Kevin Locke acknowledged Friday's decision was extreme, he said: "We know in the lab that this is the right thing to do.
"In addition to safety issues, a graduate student at the lab was involved in a laser accident on Wednesday.
Roark told the Albuquerque Daily that when the light of the laser came into her eyes, the woman's eyes were injured and she thought the laser had gone out.
The lab plans to send the woman to Maryland for treatment. The stand-
Some laboratory departments are expected to resume work faster than others.
Nanos said that officials will review the activities of each department and recommend job resumes only if all compliance issues are resolved.
On Friday, confidential work stalled in the birthplace of the atomic bomb, and some observers wondered if the recent security situation would change --
The game at Los Alamos was a fatal blow to the troubled coach.
Scientists spent most of the day counting inventory of electronic data storage devices in the lab, and two were lost last week.
Officials at the laboratory and Department of Energy say nothing about what was lost.
The Energy Department calls them computer disks.
And how they disappeared.
Energy minister Spencer Abraham ordered two of his top officials to personally supervise the laboratory's investigation.
"If that doesn't get the University of California out of the contract, then nothing," said Steven Aftergood, director of the government secrecy program at the American Federation of Scientists.
He said UC's ability to run the lab "has never been questioned as it is now.
"University of California officials have yet to say whether they will compete for contracts due next year, although the Regent has told the staff to be prepared, as they will.
Abraham chose the first one.
Last year, after a management and procurement scandal in Los Alamos, the ever contract competition lost jobs to top management and prompted a sweeping overhaul of business practices.
In the past year, employees have also been unable to find recordable data storage devices, nine floppy disks and a large-
A capacity storage disk containing confidential information.
Laboratory officials believe the materials were destroyed.
"With the promotion of contract competition in Los Alamos, these repeated events certainly do not help the University of California," Sen said . ".
Pete domenichN. M.
A longtime supporter of the University of California. Sen.
Jeff bingermanN. M.
The school's response to the latest incident was a critical test.
"When granting the LANL future management contract, DOE will have to consider how effective UC's response to this incident is," he said . ".
Aftergood says this adds to UC speculation because there is little knowledge about the latest safety failures.
The lab seems to be more concerned about the issue this time, he said.
Robert Foley, vice president of laboratory management at the University of California, said he believes scientists are reluctant to whistle on colleagues who don't follow the rules.
Changing managers may not be enough to "bring about cultural change," Aftergood said ".
Deputy Energy Minister Kyle mccraro and Linton Brooks of the National Nuclear Security Administration are overseeing the investigation.
Brooks will visit the lab on Sunday and Max Laro will visit with him on Monday. Reps. Joe Barton, R-
Texas and D-DianaColo.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee also arrived on Monday.