Nuclear Security

DOE has many procedures designed to protect classified documents, which vary depending on the type of document being protected and the nature of protection provided where the document is stored. During the past 12 years, many minimum requirements for secret and top secret documents have been discontinued. The requirement to inventory secret documents every three years, maintain an accountability record, assign a unique identification number, provide a copy and series designation, obtain receipts for internal distribution, and obtain approval to reproduce a document were discontinued in 1992. In 1998, the requirement to inventory top secret documents annually, maintain an accountability record, assign a unique identification number, provide a top secret control officer, maintain an access record, obtain receipts for internal distribution, and obtain approval for reproduction have all been discontinued. However, secret and top secret documents stored outside a DOE protected area require additional protective measures. The categories listed above do not apply to classified documents related to special access programs, cryptographic information, and NATO classified information. And contractors who operate DOE's facilities may require additional controls and procedures to protect and control classified documents.

GAO noted that: (1) DOE has numerous procedures designed to protect classified documents; (2) the requirements vary depending on the type of document being protected and the nature of the protection provided where the document is stored; (3) GAO found that many requirements for protecting and controlling secret and top secret documents stored in protected areas were discontinued in the 1990s; (4) for example, the requirement to inventory secret documents every 3 years was discontinued in 1992 with other controls over secret documents; and (5) in regard to top secret documents, many requirements, such as a top secret control officer, were eliminated in 1998.