Nuclear Security: Weak Internal Controls Hamper Oversight of DOE's Security Program
RCED-92-146
Published: Jun 29, 1992. Publicly Released: Jul 31, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) practice of granting exceptions to its nuclear safeguards and security orders, focusing on: (1) the number of exceptions that DOE has approved; (2) whether DOE follows its procedures for reviewing and approving exceptions; and (3) the type of internal control system DOE uses for monitoring individual exceptions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | To correct the identified internal control deficiencies, the Secretary of Energy should direct the Office of Safeguards and Security to institute effective documentation and recordkeeping controls for exceptions, in line with the GAO "Standards for Internal Controls in the Federal Government." |
Office of Safeguards and Security has completed December 31, 1992 development of formalized documentation and record-keeping control process for its exceptions. Field offices have validated exceptions within a database and a new computerized system went into operation in July 1992.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should direct the Office of Safeguards and Security to incorporate a strategic assessment of departmentwide information needs for exceptions information into the broader security information resource management planning process currently under way. |
The Office of Security Affairs (SA) has hired an information resources management official to coordinate its information resources management requirements with other DOE offices. This official will ensure that SA interests are incorporated into the departmentwide information resources management structure within the Office of Administration and Management.
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Topics
Atomic energy defense activitiesFederal records managementInternal controlsManagement information systemsNuclear facility safetyNuclear facility securityNuclear proliferationSabotageSafety standardsTerrorismHomeland security