INMM_Cloud_VMs_Abstract

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) plays a critical role in the U.S. nonproliferation mission by providing training to partner countries on radiation detection systems used to detect, disrupt, and investigate illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control. Over the past decade, training provided by NSDD has evolved as part of an effort to be responsive to the needs and capabilities of partner countries. Initially, NSDD instructors provided in-country training to Central Alarm Station (CAS) system administrators, operators, and maintenance providers using PowerPoints and printed course materials. In 2016, NSDD began utilizing virtual machines (VMs) coupled with a hardware platform. While this was a significant improvement to the traditional PowerPoint materials, there were increased costs associated with maintenance, sanitizing, and reimaging the VMs after each training event. Anticipating the need to continue evolving, NSDD pursued an opportunity to invest in the development of cloud-based technology to identify more advanced training delivery options.The investment in cloud-based technology allowed NSDD to be at the forefront of training continuity for performance-based activities, which could not have been timelier. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions created the need for NSDD to quickly adapt training courses for virtual delivery in order to continue providing effective, capacity-building training for partner countries, regardless of the instructor’s proximity to the trainees. NSDD VMs are deployed in a cloud-based environment and accessed remotely by trainees. The VMs are configured with vendor-specific CAS software and networking, which allows trainees to remotely engage in live, instructor-led training that closely simulates in-person instruction. This hands-on approach provides job-related familiarization through a fully interactive, no-fault setting that allows trainees to safely learn the radiation detection systems they will be accessing in their duties as system administrators, operators, and maintenance providers. Providing NSDD partner countries uninterrupted training during a pandemic demonstrates the agility of the NSDD training platform. This unique strategic approach closely imitates on-site instruction at a significantly reduced cost to the NSDD Program by decreasing U.S. instructor travel and associated labor costs.