Top secret California lab that protects America’s nukes scorched by feds after major security failure

The US National Nuclear Security Administration has proposed a $196,350 fine for security failures at the Special Technologies Laboratory in Santa Barbara, which works on the safety of the US nuclear stockpile and detection of nuclear threats. Investigators found classified information had been processed on computer systems not authorised to handle it, raising concern about potential exposure of sensitive material.

The agency identified four violations: one at Severity Level I, the Energy Department’s highest rating, two at Level II and one at Level III. The incident dates to March 2024; the contractor reported it to the department in February 2025, and investigators conducted a site review that June. Officials have not said what information was involved or whether anyone unauthorised accessed it; the proposed penalty took account of the seriousness of the failures, security programme weaknesses and corrective steps.