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Division 3 Heading 3: Nuclear Security of Materials and Associated Facilities

United Kingdom

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

Project 1: Enhancing Physical Protection and Nuclear Material Accounting and Control for the Whole Fuel Cycle

Background

Activities related to nuclear security of nuclear material in use and storage, nuclear security of the nuclear fuel cycle and associated facilities during their life-time, including accounting and control of nuclear material for nuclear security purposes, and technical implementation of the A/CPPNM. The Agency develops guidance and provides training and assistance to States, upon request, for enhancing nuclear materials security using accounting and control. The project will focus on addressing ‘insider threat’. The IAEA Insider Threat Programme provides guidance on preventive and protective nuclear security measures to mitigate the insider threat. The project will also address nuclear material accounting and control (NMAC). An NMAC system helps to deter and detect unauthorised removal of nuclear material by maintaining an inventory of all nuclear material, including information related to its location. The primary objective of an NMAC system is to maintain and report accurate, timely, complete and reliable information on all activities and operations (including movements) involving nuclear material. The NMAC system at the facility level is established within the context of a national regulatory framework and is controlled by the State’s competent authority. It is not to be confused with a State’s System of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSAC) established to meet international safeguards obligations.

The IAEA has invested significant resources to develop the hypothetical Shapash Nuclear Research Institute (SNRI). The main purpose for the development of SNRI was to be able to train Member States on Nuclear Security related issues without divulging sensitive information about actual facilities and risk compromising their security. The SNRI 3D model is a useful tool for Nuclear Security training purposes. Further developing SNRI is expected to leverage the power of the 3D model and improve Nuclear Security training outcomes. However, using 3D and VR for training purposes requires specialised knowledge and resources. Training objectives need to be closely matched to the technological solutions used to achieve them. The IAEA intends to further explore the potential strengths of the SNRI 3D model and sustain development of educational material related to SNRI in the future.

Objectives

To provide guidance and tools for preventing and protecting against unauthorised removal of nuclear material and sabotage of nuclear material and facilities by insiders.

To assess which IAEA Member States that process, handle or store nuclear material are using an NMAC system and provide assistance to their competent authorities and operators to ensure a successful NMAC Programme. To assess which IAEA Member States that currently do not have an NMAC system would like to request assistance in establishing an NMAC Programme.

Deliverables

  1. 1..

    Production of Nuclear Security Series guidance publications and e-learning tools on countering the insider threat and enhancing material accounting and control for nuclear security purposes at facilities

  2. 2..

    Organisation of awareness and practical training courses.

  3. 3..

    Organisation of awareness and practical training courses on NMAC.

  4. 4..

    Further development of the Shapash virtual reality (VR) training tool.

Outcome

Continued provision of support to assist States’ efforts to establish effective and sustainable national nuclear security regimes that support countering the insider threat and enhancing accounting and control for nuclear security purposes at facilities

Project 2: CRP Concept Paper on the application of physical protection measures in the age of COVID-19

Background

This project will address the application of access control and other nuclear security technologies in the pandemic environment at facilities storing and using nuclear and other radioactive material, including nuclear fuel cycle facilities, research and power reactors, and radioactive material facilities. During a COVID-19-like pandemic, medical measures intended to minimise the transmission of the virus may affect the effectiveness and even the application of the existing nuclear security technologies and procedures such as personnel access control measures. Changes in implementation protocols, modification of the existing technologies, and adaptation of new technologies may be appropriate in some settings to overcome challenges due to COVID-19. The project will review the IAEA Member States’ operating experience of using access control and other nuclear security measures during COVID-19 and identify the associated challenges and good practices. It will then seek to identify nuclear security technologies and procedures (including in the area of access control) in need of improvement and conduct laboratory evaluations of potential modifications and improvements from the standpoint of their implementation under COVID-19 like conditions. IAEA will facilitate exchange of operating experience and technical information among Member States, publish the project-related reports, and support the conduct of research work in selected Member-State laboratories.

Objectives

The project will seek to ensure effective nuclear security measures at nuclear and other radioactive materials facilities during a COVID-19-like situation. Specifically, the project’s objectives include the following:

  1. 1..

    Review Member States’ operating experience of implementing access control and other nuclear security measures during COVID-19.

  2. 2..

    Identify the associated challenges and good practices.

  3. 3..

    Consider the need in modification of the existing technologies or the procedures associated with their use, or development of new technologies to account for the medical requirements associated with COVID-19.

  4. 4..

    Conduct a technical assessment of the proposed modifications of newly-developed access control and other nuclear security technologies to account for pandemic conditions.

Deliverables

  1. 1..

    Good practices and technology recommendations guide to share Member States’ operating experience in nuclear security during COVID-19.

  2. 2..

    Identification of technology areas that need further development to enable effective access control and other nuclear security measures under COVID-19-like conditions.

Outcomes

Enhanced nuclear security measures to prevent theft or sabotage of nuclear and other radioactive material and facilities during pandemic-like situations.

Improved decision making by regulatory bodies and industry concerning implementation of access control and other nuclear security technologies during crisis.