More disks missing at Los Alamos. (nuclear weapons info missing ... again!)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | DEc. 10, 2003 | Zachary Coile

[FairOpinion]

Washington -- Los Alamos National Laboratory can't account for nine floppy disks and a large-capacity storage disk that contain classified information, University of California officials said Tuesday, another embarrassing security lapse that jeopardizes UC's 60-year tenure as manager of the nation's top nuclear weapons design lab.

[FairOpinion]

You obviously have an understanding of the situation.

Many government offices and contractors deal with and are able to keep control of classified information, what makes Los Alamos unable to do it, unless clearly security is not enforced.

I wonder how many Chinese spies have working there as regular employees now? I bet the number is NOT zero.

[FairOpinion]

Since the disks are missing, nobody will really know what was on them, unless they turn up, which is not likely.

Also things relating to non-proliferation, is likely to contain information about what weapons and programs various countries may have, as well as who are working on them.

[Davea]

"There is a reason for chain of custody protection of classified information"

Yes but you may offend a Chinese National if you demand a receipt to preserve chain of custody. His feelings may be hurt because you're implying you don't trust him. We have to be sensitive of others feelings. Remember what they did with the badges/access during the Clinton years? They lowered security levels for everyone so no one would be offended by having a different level of security.

[Skibane]

Disks can be copied. If a spy copied all the info on the disks before returning them, no one would be the wiser. Why would any spy want to draw attention to himself?

[FairOpinion]

They are careless, because they don't think anyone cares, and they are proven right time and time again, as security is not tightened.

[JustPiper]

Gee, what a surprise being Richardson is the lousy governor!!!

[Donna Lee Nardo]

He he; that graphic is a blast from the past! But I wish it weren't about such a serious matter.

[DoctorMichael]

Oh well.

Given that we're all one big 'World Family' under the banner of the United Nations, I can't see any reason why the rest of the world's countries can't KNOW what we KNOW........in the interest of 'the children', of course. {/sarcasm}

[GOPJ]

Intellectual group think concepts of contempt for this country have produced predictable consequences. How ordinary. Loyal is not cool among high IQ idiots.

[Shermy]

"All the programs were related to non-proliferation efforts."

Bump.

[Poohbah]

Begin an intensive investigation of their foreign/alien (Non-citizen) Security Services!\

LANL's security services are run and manned by US citizens.

My experience with this sort of thing is that someone likely erased the disks without logging the action properly. They'll probably be found with different material on them.

[Dr.Deth]

"The situation is totally unacceptable," said lab director George "Pete'' Nanos.

So his name is George, but his nickname is Pete. How the heck does that happen?

Let me hazard a guess: Peter Principle.

[maestro]

Sure.....

My experience with this sort of thing is that someone likely erased the disks without logging the action properly.

'Outside' contractors 'Inside'.....

?....an 'O-I'....'job'.

:-(

INS/OPS

/sarscasm

[eastforker]

This reminds me of Mad Madelin when all the laptops went missing with classified info on them.Whatever became of that scandal,anybody remember?

[Poohbah]

"Someone" as in "someone who was duly authorized to have access to the information, and screwed up."

People do not follow security procedures perfectly. That's why we have audits in the first place.

[maestro]

Understood!....yet....maybe,

"Someone" as in "someone who was duly authorized to have access to the information via servicing the 'stuff'..., and screwed up...the 'stuff'...for...others 'O-I'..."

Look at the 'consultation services' (INS has let be 'in-place')...as in our GIA and FDI etc.

Weekend services.....WEAK-end services!

naw

They can ALWAYS fly through Denver's 'DIA' weekend specials!

/sarscasm

[Poohbah]

The likely culprit isn't a service technician, it's a guy who actually does the work in question (nonproliferation studies, et cetera). Odds are that one guy is the culprit here. 10 disks--9 of them floppies--isn't very much, considering.

[Joy Angela]

"...where the Enemy Within CYLONS have now taken Human Form amongst US..."

...where the Enemy Within CLINTONS have now taken Human Form amongst US...