PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR PLANTS AGAINST VEHICULAR BOMBS VIA FULL SPECTRUM RISK ASSESSMENT

A more urgent need now exists since 9/11 to protect vital assets at nuclear plants from physical security threats. Any approach to successful defence must result in the best possible risk profile , while also performing this defence against credible threats within the context of limited personnel and materiel resources. Engineered solutions need to be well thought out, and take advantage of each plant's available organic strengths and opportunities. A robust, well trained/equipped highly motivated protective force will help reduce concerns where there are weaknesses making the plant vulnerable to threats. A thorough risk assessment takes into account the proper combination of both deterministic and probabilistic application of resources as a most advantageous approach; this is postulated to be development of integrated protection methods and plans, which blend solid engineering design with the highest calibre of protection forces. By setting a clear and ambitious objective to shield the nuclear assets with this type of dynamic full spectrum defence in depth, the risk of harm-breach or likelihood of any opponent’s threat being realized should be reduced to the lowest practicable levels.