Unclassified Foreign Nationals Roam the Halls at Oak Ridge Nat'l Lab (support, security)

[DRob4JC]

Unclassified Foreign National Visits and Assignments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In support of its research and development mission, the Department of Energy's national laboratories host thousands of foreign national visitors and assignees (foreign nationals) every year for research collaborations and access to scientific user facilities. During calendar year 2012, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge), which is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, hosted approximately 6,400 foreign nationals. Such visits and assignments can be beneficial to the Department but may also create certain security risks.

...
We noted that hosts had not always maintained accountability of foreign nationals as specifically required by Host Agreements and individual security plans.

For example, contrary to requirements of Host Agreements or individual security plans, hosts:

• Did not maintain contact with foreign nationals during their entire length of stay to ensure the hosts could convey details about each foreign nationals' work scope and technical competency to Counterintelligence;
• Used escorts instead of delegating alternate hosts; and
• Did not conduct walk-downs of each foreign national's work area to ensure that there was no export controlled equipment or technology in the area.

Therefore, there was no assurance that hosts appropriately monitored foreign nationals' activities as required.

The things that happen while no one is looking. Probably a bunch of incidents similar to this that takes place in the shadows.