Year
2015
Abstract
One of the key outcomes of the April 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) was the renewed commitment placed on enhancing the security of nuclear materials and expertise. Nuclear industry and government decision makers are often required to take actions that may directly or indirectly affect the security of nuclear facilities. To make informed, risk-based, and cost effective decisions for facility security, decision makers need an appropriate understanding of the potential physical and electronic threats faced by nuclear facilities, the consequences of a successful attack, the types of potential vulnerabilities that may exist, and the range of protective actions that are available to enhance security. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and United States Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction, Global Nuclear Security (GNS) Program is supporting the Department of Energy (DOE) in the establishment of a Center of Excellence (COE) for Nuclear Security in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and nuclear security training in the Republic of Kazakhstan. These efforts will enhance nuclear security that would benefit both the U.S. and partner countries and enhance international peace and security. The COEs will be a forum to facilitate the exchange of nuclear security best practices and to develop long-term collaborative partnerships with the appropriate nuclear security leadership. Additionally, GNS is engaging with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enhance outreach opportunities and nuclear security training capabilities by providing an assessment of currently available defense-focused nuclear security training courses. GNS is developing recommendations on areas where the IAEA Nuclear Security Support Centers (NSSC)/COE nuclear security training catalogues could be expanded. GNS will utilize the recommendations to tailor existing courses and/or develop new courses for international distribution through the IAEA and various NSSC/COEs.