Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefense
Open Access

Abstract

Protecting biological select agents and toxins from theft, loss, and release, is a priority of the U.S. Federal government. In the past, strategies relied mainly upon ?guns, gates, and guards? to accomplish this task. However, as exemplified by the Amerithrax attacks of 2001, the three ?G?s? do little to vanquish threats coming from inside the facility and can cost a great deal to implement?funding for which is taken from needed research initiatives. The Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel, established in 2010 to advise the U.S. Federal Select Agent Program on issues of security, was directed by the President in Executive Order 13546 to recommend security measures ?in a coordinated manner that balances their efficacy with the need to minimize the adverse impact on the legitimate use of BSAT.? With that guiding principle, the Panel assessed the risks of insider threat and made recommendations to bolster a culture of responsibility and security at institutions housing Tier 1 BSAT. The most recent update of the Select Agent Rules has incorporated several of those recommendations. This presentation discusses the concepts behind personnel suitability practices being recommended and how implementation might protect against insider threat while promoting scientists? well-being

Biography

Laura Kwinn serves as the Team Lead for Laboratory Biosecurity in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Kwinn manages the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel, which provides technical advice to government programs that regulate biological select agents and toxins in U.S. laboratories. She is an Excellence in Government Fellow with the Partnership for Public Service and was honored as a Next Generation National Security Leader by the Center for a New American Security. Dr. Kwinn began her career in policy as an advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) after earning her Ph.D. in biology from the UCSD and her Bachelor?s degree in biology from MIT