The Department of Energy (Department) developed the Design Basis Threat policy (DBT), which
identified the most credible threats posed by potential adversaries to Departmental assets and
operations. Since the terrorist attacks of September 2001, revisions to the DBT have established
significantly more stringent standards for protecting Departmental assets and operations. The DBT
provides decision-makers and managers with the information needed to plan permanent upgrades to
security programs and to identify the necessary resources for protecting sensitive assets, including
special nuclear material.
