IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

01/18/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/18/2022 11:22

IAEA Publication Guides Nations on Assessing Nuclear Security Threats

With the expansion of nuclear and radioactive materials in use worldwide, the potential for malicious use of these materials is a growing concern. The IAEA continues to advise national authorities on best practices for nuclear security with a newly updated implementation guide - National Nuclear Security Threat Assessment, Design Basis Threats and Representative Threat Statements. It is part of the IAEA's Nuclear Security Series (NSS) and provides guidance on how countries can implement security recommendations based on their nuclear and radioactive facilities and conduct security threat assessments to thwart risks from, inter alia, terrorists, criminals and extremists.

"The nuclear security measures a country adapts should always correspond to the threat posed to nuclear and other radioactive materials. The revised guidance provides a specific methodology for identifying physical and computer security threats applicable to both nuclear and other radioactive materials. On the basis of this updated methodology, the IAEA can tailor bespoke assistance focussing on a country's specific needs and available resources," said Kristof Horvath, Head of the IAEA's Nuclear Material Security Unit.