Testing and Evaluation of the IAEA Safeguards State Declaration Portal (SDP) by the US Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS)

Testing and Evaluation of the IAEA Safeguards State Declaration Portal (SDP) by the U.S. Nuclear Materials Management Safeguards System (NMMSS)</i><u>Abstract</u>The U.S. Government submits more than 60,000 lines of nuclear material control and accounting data annually to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This data is submitted in conformance with IAEA safeguards agreements and is an essential component of the Agency’s ability to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons. Under these agreements the U.S. reports to the IAEA imports and exports of certain nuclear materials and also information on certain domestic operations including inventories and material balance reports for selected facilities. The Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS) is the U.S. government organization tasked with preparing and submitting these reports. This paper discusses the current information sharing processes including important components such as data accuracy, reporting timeliness, and cyber security considerations. This paper also evaluates new communication alternatives such as the IAEA Safeguards State Declaration Portal (SDP) which has been reported as providing enhanced data transmission, quality control, and information management features. This paper details the NMMSS testing and evaluation criteria used to assess SDP suitability for possible incorporation into the NMMSS reporting process. Important criteria discussed include applicability of data encryption methods, quality control functionality, ease of use, and report management process. Finally, the paper highlights issues for further consideration and outlines the steps needed before NMMSS implementation.