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Argonne is under attack, and all employees have been enlisted to come to its defense.
The threat comes from scores of computer "crackers" who probe and test the laboratory's computer networks every day. Most are probably teenage vandals searching for a thrill; others are undoubtedly professionals bent on espionage.
No major disruptions have occurred, other than the "I Love You" virus that snarled e-mail at the laboratory for the better part of a day. But a U.S. Department of Energy team has been testing Argonne's electronic defenses, most recently on March 5, and found that the laboratory needs to beef up its computer security.
Argonne Director Hermann Grunder is emphatic about the need for good computer security at Argonne. Argonne's leadership role in high-bandwidth systems and high-end computing has enhanced the threat, Grunder said at a recent meeting of system administrators that focused on security.
"We have real issues," Grunder said. "Cyber security is absolutely essential, or our computer networks will end up flat on their backs. The more proactive we are, the better off we will be as a laboratory."
The consequences of the laboratory letting its guard down may be much more serious than having to do without e-mail for a few hours. In addition to Argonne's handful of classified programs, there are many research collaborations with industrial firms that present a tempting target for espionage. Industry will be reluctant to enter research partnerships with Argonne if the laboratory's computer security isn't top-notch. The threat is very real: an organized cracker gang in Russia, for example, recently breached Microsoft's network and got a good look at software projects under development.
Best defense
Technicians and other experts at the Electronics and Computing Technologies Division are shoring up the laboratory's defenses, but every computer user at Argonne is responsible for computer security, said Argonne Chief Information Officer Tim Kuhfuss (ECT).
"The best defense against attacks is smart, wary computer users," Kuhfuss said.
Accountability for cyber security extends from the laboratory director to each individual employee.
All new employees are briefed on security threats, identifying sensitive data, recognizing when an attack has occurred, reporting incidents and using secure passwords and login methods. Employees are required to review these procedures every year, and a warning notice appears on the monitor every time a computer starts up.
Any type of computer misuse -- from criminal activity to password-sharing -- should be reported immediately to a cyber security protection representative and to ECT by sending e-mail to ect-security@anl.gov.
"System administrators have set up excellent cyber security programs," Kuhfuss said, "but individual computer users have to guard the gates."
The Argonne-East boiler house has received certification at the "exceptional performance" level in an independent audit, which places the facility among the safest, most efficient and best-run in the nation.
Boilers in the 50-year-old plant heat most of the major buildings at the laboratory's Illinois site.
A team of engineers from Armstrong Energy Certification, Orlando, Fla., conducted the audit in December 2000, part of an ongoing continuous improvement program in PFS-Utility Systems. Armstrong specializes in steam system certification, benchmarking and audits.
The Armstrong team looked at everything from documentation to housecleaning.
"It's an objective, third-party check on how well we're doing," said Utility Systems Manager Jim Heine (PFS). "The results were so favorable Gus Armstrong, the company president, flew here from Orlando to present the award to Argonne."
Armstrong's report cites knowledgeable, professional and highly qualified operators, a strong preventative maintenance program and controls systems that result in high efficiency.
"The system is operated in an exemplary manner, especially in consideration of the age of the equipment," Armstrong's report states. "Most aspects of operation are well above average."
Armstrong's praise is due in part to a $10 million rehabilitation project that started in 1996. The boiler house boasts an operational efficiency much better than the industry average, Heine said. One of the plant's boilers was converted to burn coal or natural gas (the other four burn only natural gas), and the plant received new controls.
The new controls help save fuel -- about $135,000 last year. And since the plant can burn either gas or coal, "we're saving a bundle in today's gas market by burning coal," Heine said. "The savings will add up to more than $1 million this year."
Sign-up has begun for the "three on three" basketball tournament season at Argonne-East.
The tournament is open to Argonne and DOE employees of any skill level. Games are played at lunch time at the outdoor basketball court in the 600 area.
Partial teams and individuals are welcome. Registration deadline is Friday, May 25. The tournament begins Monday, June 4. This year there will be an All-Star game, a lunchtime picnic, trophies, and a Most Valuable Player Award.
For more information, rules, and scheduling, contact Johnny Reed, at ext. 2-6071 or pager 4-1963.
Registration for Joliet Junior College summer and fall classes will be offered at Argonne-East Monday, April 9.
College representatives will be available in the Human Resources offices in Building 201 from noon to 4 p.m. to register students for both summer and fall 2001 classes. Employees must bring completed and approved Educational Assistance forms (ANL-89) to the registration.
Call Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410 for information on either the college or educational assistance.
"First Time Home Buyer," the last of the Argonne Credit Union's spring workshops, will be held Wednesday, April 25, at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton.
The two-hour workshop will begin at 7 p.m. Participants will learn how to calculate the home price they can afford and the best type of mortgage to fit their budgets. The workshop will also cover how credit reports are used by lenders and tips to make the mortgage loan application process run smoothly.
All Argonne employees are invited. For a reservation, call ext. 2-5800.
"Patent Pools -- Can Argonne National Laboratory Play a Leading Role in Assuring that the Future of Medicine Does not Drown in a Sea of Human Genome Patents?" will be the topic of a seminar at Argonne-East Tuesday, April 10.
The one-hour seminar, sponsored by the Office of Technology Transfer, will begin at 11 a.m. in Building 201, Conference Room 274.
Manny Vacchiano, from the Chicago law firm of Fitch, Even, Tabin and Flannery, will discuss how technology can be shared, cross-licensed or commercially licensed to others when many patents exist and infringement could occur.
All Argonne employees are invited to attend. To assure that a seat is available, please contact Mary Kmak at ext. 2-9124 or maryk@anl.gov to reserve a seat.
Electronics and Computing Technologies will offer a range of computer software classes at Argonne-East in April, May and June.
Full class descriptions are available online at http://www.ect.anl.gov/computers/training/. To enroll, contact a division Training Management System representative.
Unless otherwise noted, classes will be held in Building 221, Room A142, cost $215 and are limited to ten participants.
"Introduction to Word 2000" (ECT369) --
Monday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prerequisites: Introduction
to Windows 95.
"Introduction to Excel 2000" (ECT370) --
Tuesday, April 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: an
understanding of Windows.
"Introduction to Access Version 2000" (ECT371)
-- Wednesday, April 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Class
size limited to eight. Prerequisite: an understanding
of Windows.
"Introduction to PowerPoint 2000" (ECT372)
-- Thursday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Prerequisite: an understanding of Windows. Cost: $140.
"Intermediate PowerPoint 2000" (ECT373)
-- Thursday, April 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday,
May 10, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Prerequisite: Introduction
PowerPoint 2000. Cost: $140.
"Advanced PowerPoint 2000" (ECT382) --
Thursday, May 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Prerequisite:
Introduction PowerPoint 2000. Cost: $140.
Human Resources will offer English as a Second Language at Argonne-East beginning Tuesday, April 10.
The class is designed to help non-native speakers improve their English language skills on the job. Individual language needs are addressed through a culturally interactive approach that combines practical listening, speaking and writing skills. This eight-week session will include a segment on pronunciation skills.
The class will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 201, Room 238. The cost of the class is $250 per participant. New participants will be charged an additional $20 for a pretest.
For more information call Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410.
A representative from MetLife will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 24, to meet with individual employees and provide insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.
To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees should fax their auto policy renewal statements to (630) 810-1628 before their appointments.
The U.S. Department of Energy's mail office has moved from the first floor of Argonne-East's Building 201 to the third floor.
The mail center is now located in Office 3N-20.
Helen P. Bulich, a retired Administrative Secretary with 44 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division died February 21. Her nieces, Helen Guadgro and Charlene Carlson, survive her.
Andrew Drabik, a retired Tech Senior with 29 years of service in the Physics Division died March 3. His wife, Lillian, survives him.
Irving Johnson, a retired Senior Chemist with 29 years of service in the Chemical Technology Division died February 26. His wife, Alice, survives him.
Donald Matson, a retired Management Engineer with 28 years of service in the Plant Facilities and Services Division died February 24. His wife, Cecelia, survives him.
Barbara Rogowski, a retired Document Processing Specialist Senior with 17 years of service in the Media Services Division died February 16. Her husband, Joseph, survives her.
Bruce Spencer, a Senior Nuclear Engineer Program Manager with 29 years of service in the Reactor Engineering Division died March 1. His wife, Carol, and children survive him.
