Audit Report: IG-0779

The Department of Energy uses a formal process of security clearances to help prevent
unauthorized access to sites and facilities that niaintain or store classified information
and/or special nuclear material. As part of this process, security badges are issued to
indicate whethcr the individual possesses a security clearance and, as a consequence,
whctlier access to agency facilities is permitted. In addition, the Department maintains a
Central Personnel Clearance Index to track security clearance information. In virtually
all circumstances, policy requires that security clearances be terminated when an
individual ends their association with the Department. A limited exception to that policy
exists for contractor employees that arc to be reemployed within three months. Closely
controlling security clearances and restricting access to facilities to authorized individuals
arc essential to protecting the Department's valuable security and property assets.
In May 2007, the Oftice of Inspector General issued a report on Thr De p~r t r n e t i tA~zl~tl it
Resolutiotl ~rtrclF c~llolt~-~Prrpo cess (DOEIIG-0766). This audit disclosed, among other
things, that security clearances at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) were
being retained well beyond the three-month window allowed by Departmental policy.
Because of the potential for terminated employees who retained active clearances to
improperly access Departmental facilities, we initiated this audit to determine whether the
practice of maintaining active security clearances at ETTP for terminated en~ployeesw as
appropriate and/or necessary.