March 4, 2004

Before The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Statement of Herbert Richardson, Principal Deputy Inspector General U.S. Department of Energy

Testify regarding physical security at the Department of Energy's facilities. The Department’s activities range from nuclear nonproliferation, to cutting edge research and development, to weapons programs. The sensitive and critical nature of the Department’s work necessitates that its security operations be robust, and for the last several years, the Office of Inspector General has identified security as one of the most critical management challenges facing the Department. Therefore, our office devotes a significant portion of its resources to reviewing the effectiveness of those operations. Our work has been extensive and across the security spectrum, including physical security, personnel security, cyber security, and the protection of Department assets, such as computers, firearms, and nuclear materials.