In March, 2001, the Protective Force began swiping security badges using special badge readers at its 15 staffed guard posts, to ensure that cleared Laboratory workers meet all access requirements. The implementation of this procedure completed the enhanced access controls that were linked to the new badging system when the latter went into production in September 1999.

The actual procedure works as follows. You give your badge to The Protective Force Security Police Office ("SPO" or "guard"). The SPO will visually examine the badge and also swipe it. If the badge swipe results in a "red light" instead of a "green light," the swipe will be run a second time. If this results in another red light, you will be denied access.

As with automated access control stations throughout the Laboratory, denial results from critical security or personnel information not being current or valid. This includes, for example, having an active security clearance and ensuring that your security awareness training (= EDS Training Plan 729) is current.

Cleared visitors who hold a valid DOE Standard Badge from another DOE site will be allowed access to security areas regardless of the results of the badge swipe check. Visitors who return to the Laboratory on a frequent basis can have their badge information and hand geometry template enrolled by the Badge Office so that they can use automated access control equipment. LANL-issued site-specific cleared visitor badges will be accepted without running a swipe.

The main reason you might be denied access is non-compliance with security awareness training requirements. Besides the DOE-mandated initial comprehensive briefing when you were granted your clearance at LANL for the first time, you must be up-to-date in taking your annual security refresher in the ensuing years. Refresher training is available on the Web and you are encouraged to check your training status to ensure it is current.. It could take up to five days (if you do not take it with a Token Card) to receive credit after taking the training, so keep this in mind and plan accordingly in order to avoid any delays in going into Lab security areas. Electronic reminders of upcoming training expirations are sent at regular intervals to everyone with an e-mail account.

The Badge Office has set up a Web site, [http://badgecheck.lanl.gov], to allow you to check your badge and access status. This Web site lets you query the status of your security awareness training, clearance, employment, and badge. To use this query, you must have a Token Card (e.g., Cryptocard, Smartcard) to access your information. If any of the status conditions is not "active," you can expect to be denied access - either by the Protective Force or at an automated access control station. For detailed information about using this query, consult the Frequently Asked Questions.

If you experience access problems during regular business hours, you should always first check your badge and access status at badgecheck.lanl.gov, or contact your Group Office (which is authorized to do the check for you), to try to determine the nature of the problem. (The Badge Office has workstations where you can check your status.) If a problem still persists (occasionally a badge may be physically or magnetically damaged), contact the Security Help Desk (665-2002) or the Badge Office (667-6901) for assistance. After hours, call the PTLA Central Alarm Station (667-4437).

Any security badge that works in automated access control readers will work with the badge swiping equipment used by a guard at a staffed post.

Problems with specific badge reader equipment at a particular security post should be reported directly to Group S-3 at 667-4949.

If you have questions about the badge swiping procedures or running the Badge & Access Status Report, please call the Security Help Desk at 665-2002 or security@lanl.gov.