The information on this page summarizes some of the key points about how badges are encoded and enrolled for access into areas of the Laboratory that are badge reader controlled. There are badge readers into security areas, wholly within the perimeters between non-security and security areas, and at the entrance into property-protected areas in non-security areas. Some property-protected readers control access 24 hours/day; other readers are activated only during non-business hours. Various organizations are responsible for different badge reader systems. S-3 controls readers between non-security and security areas, and some property-protected areas. CCN-4 (formerlyCIC-4) controls readers for most property-protected areas and for security areas within the Lab's security "perimeters." Some facilities at the Laboratory have their own stand-alone reader systems.

Select a Topic:

Magnetic Stripe Encoding

S-3 Badge Readers that are not Database Controlled

S-3 Badge Readers that are Database Controlled

CCN-4 (formerly CIC-4) Badge Readers

Facility-specific Systems

Visitors with a non-LANL-issued DOE Standard Badge

U.S. Citizen Classified Visits

Uncleared Foreign Nationals

Cleared Foreign National Visitors

Related Links:

Why do I have trouble with my badge in access control readers?

Badge and access status check

Troubleshooting card (summary of why your badge may have stopped working)

Access control problems - troubleshooting checklist

Protective Force Access Control Stations

Locations of S-3 Badge Readers

Locations of CCN-4 Badge Readers

LANSCE (TA-53) Badge Reader Procedures

LANSCE (TA-53 Facility Access Control Procedures

Only two data fields are encoded on a badge's magnetic stripe by the Badge Office's badging system: the badge serial number and the individual's Social Security Number (SSN). This is in compliance with DOE magnetic stripe encoding requirements. Since many foreign nationals do not have an SSN, special encoding protocols are followed. For some site-specific badges, no encoding is required, requested, or appropriate. Such badges are issued without a magnetic stripe. Badges controlled by some Laboratory facilities use their own encoding, not the standard protocol followed by the Badge Office, S-3, and CIC-4.

S-3 badge readers that are not database controlled will accept a badge that has been issued by the Badge Office without any further arrangements needing to be made.

S-3 badge readers that control access between a non-security area and a security area always require the individual's hand geometry template to be on file. The hand geometry template is enrolled at the Badge Office - this is typically done at the time the individual's first clearance badge is issued. The badgeholder must complete and sign S-3's Automated Access Control Systems (AACS Portal) Responsibilities and Acknowledgment form prior to, or at the time of hand geometry template enrollment.

Any time an individual's access status becomes inactive (based on such criteria as clearance, security education compliance, and current personnel record) the badge will no longer be accepted in a reader.

Cleared foreign national visitors cannot have unescorted access into security areas. Their hand geometry template is never enrolled. See additional details below, under Cleared Foreign National Visitors.

S-3 readers can be recognized by their black color.

SEE S-3 Badge Reader Locations for a complete listing of all badge readers maintained by Group S-3.

In addition to the enrollment procedures summarized directly above, some S-3 badge readers, designated "database controlled," require that all individuals using a particular reader be approved in advance and entered into a database for that facility, building, etc. Typically, the facility manager or another approving official determines who will be given badge access to the facility, etc. Database-controlled readers use a Z number to register those who have been approved for access.

Visitors who come with their own DOE Standard badge issued by another DOE site usually do not have a Z number, since this is a worker ID number unique to LANL. For details on how to enroll such visitors, see the section below, Visitors with a non-LANL DOE Standard Badge.

SEE

• Procedures for Enrollment into S-3 Database-Controlled Limited Security Area Readers
• S-3 Badge Reader Locations to determine which locations are database controlled

CCN-4 (formerly CIC-4) maintains badge readers for most property-protected buildings or building sections in non-security areas. It also operates the readers into areas that are completely within the security perimeters. Encoding of a badge by the Badge Office does NOT result in enrollment in CCN-4's access control badge reader system. The badgeholder must make his/her own arrangements, following the procedures spelled out in detail in the Badge Office's Web page on CCN-4 Badge Enrollment Procedures.

CCN-4 badge readers can be recognized by their gray color.

Some Laboratory facilities maintain their own stand-alone badge reader systems. They control, on a case-by-case basis, access into their facility. They may or may not require use of an Exchange / Facility-specific badge, or the system may accept DOE Standard badges and possibly LANL Visitor badges. Some facilities may follow the Badge Office's magnetic stripe encoding protocol; others may use their own encoding protocol.

All arrangements for approval and enrollment of badges in such facility-controlled readers must be made directly with the facility. The Badge Office does not have a master list of facility-specific badge reader systems. Any system that reads off the badge serial number will require re-enrollment when another badge is issued.

One facility with detailed and specific procedures is TA-53 (LANSCE). Consult its badge reader procedures and facility access control procedures for complete details.

The Badge Office can enroll visitors who come to LANL with a valid DOE Standard badge issued by another DOE site, into S-3's access control badge reader system.

To enroll a cleared DOE visitor, the Badge Office will first verify that the badgeholder has an active clearance. The enrollment process for cleared visitors includes obtaining the hand geometry template. The badgeholder must complete and sign S-3's Automated Access Control Systems (AACS Portal) Responsibilities and Acknowledgment form prior to, or at the time of hand geometry template enrollment.

Enrollment is valid for one year or the expiration date on the badge, whichever comes first.

Hosts who want their visitors to have unescorted access into S-3 badge readers that are database controlled should consult the procedures for arranging this.

  Visitors who wish to be enrolled in badge readers controlled by CCN-4 must make their own arrangements, following CCN-4's specific procedures.

Also consult the general procedures for visitors with a DOE Standard badge.

U.S. citizens at LANL for an approved classified visit (a visit involving access to LANL-held classified matter) who do not possess a DOE Standard badge from another DOE site must have their visit approved and then be issued a LANL site-specific cleared visitor badge. At the host's option, as indicated on Lab Form 1735 (U.S. Visitor Badge Request), the badge can be encoded for security area access (S-3 badge readers), property protection access only (CCN-4 badge readers), or no access into any badge readers. If the host does not request any encoding, the badge is issued without a magnetic stripe and the visitor will need to be escorted through the badge reader by a badgeholder.

If the badge is encoded and intended for use in property protection buildings, consult the specific, applicable procedures for enrollment into CCN-4 badge readers.

Uncleared foreign national assignees and visitors will automatically be enrolled in property-protected badge readers maintained by S-3, except for those badge readers that are database controlled.

Uncleared foreign nationals who have been approved for unescorted access into S-3 badge readers that are database controlled must arrange for the following:

• Approval by the facility manager or approving official of the area to which the badge reader provides access;
• A request from the visitor's host or the facility manager/approving official of the facility to create (or update) an EIS record for the visitor, including assignment of a Z number;
• Once a Z number has been assigned, it must be entered into the database-controlled badge reader system at the facility.

Uncleared foreign nationals have been approved for access into particular buildings with badge readers controlled by CCN-4 (formerly CIC-4) must make their own arrangements, following CCN-4's specific procedures.

Cleared foreign national visitors are issued a Cleared Foreign National Visitor badge by the Badge Office, once their visit has been approved and processed. The host may request the visitor to have unescorted access into Laboratory property-protected areas controlled by S-3. Cleared foreign nationals are not permitted unescorted access into Laboratory security areas and therefore will not be enrolled in the S-3 hand geometry template system. If the host does not request property-protected badge reader enrollment, the badge issued will not include a magnetic stripe.