Nuclear Security #258003 – future centre

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Nuclear security is a vital global imperative, distinct from nuclear safety. While safety focuses on protecting people and the environment from accidental radiation hazards, security focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to intentional malicious acts—such as theft, sabotage, or unauthorized access—involving nuclear materials, other radioactive substances, and associated facilities. The consequences of a failure in nuclear security are profound, with potential implications for global peace, security, and public safety.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the legal, technical, and operational foundations of nuclear security. Participants will explore the international legal instruments, national responsibilities, and practical measures that constitute a robust nuclear security regime. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, and scenario-based exercises, this course equips professionals with the knowledge to understand, assess, and contribute to the protection of some of the world’s most sensitive materials and sites.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Differentiate between nuclear safety, nuclear security, and safeguards, and explain their distinct objectives and implementations.
Identify the key international legal instruments and recommendations that form the global nuclear security architecture.
Describe the fundamental principles of a State’s nuclear security regime, including the role of the competent authority.
Recognize the components of a physical protection system (detection, delay, response) and their integration.
Understand the threats posed by nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control (MORC) and the national response framework.
Articulate the importance of a strong security culture within organizations handling nuclear material.

This course is designed for professionals whose work involves or interfaces with the security of nuclear and radioactive materials:

Regulators and Government Officials from relevant competent authorities
Facility Operators and Security Managers at nuclear power plants, research reactors, and fuel cycle facilities
Law Enforcement and Intelligence Personnel with relevant portfolios
Policy Makers and Diplomats involved in international security
Physical Protection Specialists and Engineers
Consultants and Auditors in the nuclear field
Students of international security, nuclear engineering, or related fields

Day 1: The Fundamentals of Nuclear Security

Morning Session: The Global Imperative
- Defining Nuclear Security: Distinguishing it from Safety and Safeguards.
- The Threat Landscape: Adversaries, motivations, and potential consequences.
- The Core Objectives: Preventing theft, sabotage, and unauthorized access.
Afternoon Session: The International Legal Framework
- The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment.
- International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT).
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.
- The Role of the IAEA: Codes of Conduct, guidance, and advisory services.

Day 2: Building a National Nuclear Security Regime

Morning Session: National Responsibility and Governance
- Establishing a Competent Authority (CA): Legislation, regulations, and inspection.
- The Fundamentals of a State’s Nuclear Security Regime.
- Threat Assessment and Design Basis Threat (DBT) development.
Afternoon Session: Regulatory Oversight
- The Licensing and Inspection Process for facilities.
- Evaluating security plans and measures.
- Workshop: Analyze a sample national legislative framework for gaps.

Day 3: Implementing Physical Protection Systems (PPS)

Morning Session: The Principles of PPS
- The Integrated Systems Approach: Detection, Delay, and Response.
- Defense-in-Depth and Graded Approach for different facility types.
Afternoon Session: PPS Components and Evaluation
- Technical Systems: Barriers, sensors, access controls, and surveillance (CCTV).
- Security Force Requirements: Training, readiness, and command & control.
- Case Study: Evaluate the PPS of a hypothetical facility against a defined DBT.

Day 4: Material Out of Regulatory Control (MORC)

Morning Session: Preventing and Detecting Illicit Trafficking
- National Systems for border control, law enforcement, and detection.
- The IAEA’s Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB).
Afternoon Session: Preparedness and Response
- Nuclear Security Detection Architecture (NSDA).
- Response to a nuclear security event: coordination between agencies.
- Tabletop Exercise: Manage the response to a reported illicit trafficking incident.

Day 5: The Human Element and Capstone

Morning Session: Security Culture and Sustainability
- Defining and Fostering a Strong Nuclear Security Culture within an organization.
- The role of training, exercises, and performance testing.
- Managing insider threats.
Afternoon Session: Capstone and Course Synthesis
- Final Scenario: A multi-faceted nuclear security challenge is presented. Participants, in groups, must develop a comprehensive security plan addressing legal, technical, and human elements.
- Presentation and Feedback.
- Course Recap: Emerging challenges (cyber threats, new technologies).
- Final Q&A and Certification.