Measuring the Impact of Nuclear Security Training: The Case of the WINS Academy Professional Society

The terrorist attacks that took place on 11 September 2001 dramatically changed nuclear organisations’ perception of threat. Prior to 9/11, nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities depended mainly on guns, guards and gates to provide security. Some countries required their guards to have paramilitary training and undergo background checks and screening, others did not. After 9/11, the nuclear community suddenly realised that such an approach was both simplistic and outdated. In the last 14 years, governments have instituted much more stringent regulatory requirements, and nuclear operators have spent considerable time and money to upgrade physical protection arrangements to meet them. It is now widely understood that managing a complex nuclear security programme requires both competent management and ongoing training. Indeed, training is one of the most effective leading indicators for security. Nuclear security training should start upon hire and continue regularly as employees’ job titles change and their responsibilities grow. Due to evolving threats, emerging technologies, and increasing security standards, we expect that the demand for ongoing professional training in the nuclear security workforce will continue to expand for the foreseeable future.