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The Department of Energy's (DOE's) 2012 Safeguards and Security Directors Workshop concluded on April 18, 2012. Glenn S. Podonsky, DOE's Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer, and Douglas E. Fremont, the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA's) Chief of Defense Nuclear Security, jointly championed the two-day workshop in Denver, Colorado.
In recognition that the Department is operating in a time of significant change where many internal and external factors will influence how national security missions will be implemented over the coming years, the workshop focused on identifying the most important nuclear security priorities for 2012 and 2013, and provided a forum to discuss an integrated approach for addressing those priorities. The workshop was a tremendous success with over 120 of the Department's top security professionals in attendance. DOE thanks the many safeguards and security managers and technical experts who participated in this exchange.
Among the most challenging changes in the current security environment, evidenced by more than a decade of global war on terror, is the evolving capabilities and tactics of our adversaries. This change has resulted in the need to reassess the threat environment facing our national security-related facilities and assets. Workshop attendees were provided with current information about changes to the Defense Intelligence Agency's Nuclear Security Threat Capabilities Assessment (NSTCA) and discussions on the evolving threat and how to address the threat posed by our adversaries to our assets, facilities, personnel, and mission. Important initiatives were examined and discussed, including the on-going collaboration effort between the Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, DOE, NNSA, and the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. This collaborative initiative results in a very detailed review of each security requirement so that all entities benefit from the combined effort.
An important result of the collaboration effort will be a revision to the DOE Graded Security Protection Policy to reflect the recently completed NSTCA. Workshop attendees were provided with up-to-date information on the status of this effort.
A principal message emerging from the discussions was the need for unity in the security community and the need to demonstrate strong leadership to keep security programs focused on the appropriate priorities that facilitate efficient and effective protection programs. The workshop was highly successful. A combination of distinguished guest speakers, discussion panels featuring subject matter experts, a series of round-table discussions, and question-and-answer sessions provided attendees with important information, an opportunity to interact with peers, and a renewed sense of vigilance regarding their roles in the DOE nuclear security mission.
