The nexus between nuclear safety and nuclear security is an aspect that underpins the IAEA’s work and assistance offered to countries around the world. Now international experts, members of the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security (AdSec) and the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG) have issued their first joint report addressing the question of interfaces and synergies between nuclear safety and nuclear security, taking into account the developments of the last decade. The AdSec and INSAG members advise the IAEA Director General in the areas of nuclear security and nuclear and radiation safety respectively (See AdSec and INSAG: the expert groups.)
Safety focuses on ensuring proper operating conditions, preventing – or mitigating the consequences of – accidents and, hence, protecting workers, patients, the public and the environment from undue radiation hazards. In the case of nuclear security, the focus is on the prevention and detection of, and response to, criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving or directed at nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities or associated activities.
However, as Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security explains, they share the same objective. “The IAEA Fundamental Safety Principles and the Nuclear Security Fundamentals identify the overarching objective to protect people, society and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation.”
The recently published AdSec/INSAG report, A systems view of nuclear security and nuclear safety: identifying interfaces and building synergies, aims to provide an updated framework on the interface between nuclear safety and security. The publication examines both the commonalities of and differences relating to nuclear security and nuclear safety, with a view to stimulating new thinking on how to further enhance their robustness and create greater synergy in the management of nuclear and other related activities.
Key areas of this interface cover areas such as the allocation of various responsibilities and their coordination; institutional strength in depth; the management and leadership with focus on safety and security culture; human risk factors; computer security; information and communication; and emergency preparedness and response.
“The interface between nuclear safety and nuclear security measures must be designed and implemented in a compatible manner so that security measures do not compromise safety and safety measures do not compromise security,” said Evrard, adding that “their relationship is an ever-evolving one and the IAEA’s mechanisms of assistance to countries are built to serve the effective and synergistic implementation of nuclear and radiation safety and nuclear security at national and international level.”
