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Inamul Haq
NSSC Network Chair,
Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Pakistan
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Advanced NSSC Coordination with Stakeholders: Analysis of Operational Data to Sustain Nuclear Security
By Mr Aleksejus Livsic
Head, Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence, State Border Guard Service of the Republic of Lithuania
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State Border Guard Service officers discussing a nuclear security detection case*
(Photo: NSCOE)
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Among the many key topics addressed in the IAEA-TDL-010 publication, “Establishing and Operating a National Nuclear Security Support Centre,” the importance of coordination and effective information exchange between NSSC stakeholders and the NSSC is emphasized. No doubt, this is one of the main aspects of effective and sound NSSC activities. The publication outlines a general process by which an NSSC can formalize its relationship with stakeholders at the national level, but further coordination and cooperation mechanisms can also be built at the operational level to address all the details and areas necessary to provide systematic support for sustaining nuclear security.
Typically, the NSSC provides its services to relevant stakeholders based on periodic plans, such as an annual work plan, that have been developed based on input from stakeholders. The specific information collected in these plans includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Stakeholders’ feedback on nuclear security sustainability gaps and the effectiveness of NSSC services;
- External (third party) feedback on stakeholders’ nuclear security performance; and
- Relevant data from nuclear security operations.
The first two sources of information are important; however, these can be collected and discussed periodically without a systematic approach. The last source of information, operational data, is a particularly useful source of information for identifying sustainability gaps and needs, but can sometimes be underestimated by and is not always available to an NSSC. Recognizing this, in 2019, the Lithuanian NSSC – the Nuclear Security Centre of Excellence (NSCOE) – decided to focus more on identifying ways in which operational data could be used to inform its activities.
We would like to share the experience of the Lithuanian NSSC’s interaction with the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (SBGS), the stakeholder responsible for nuclear security detection and response at the state border. In order to improve the quality and reliability of the information about the results of nuclear security operations, the NSSC has developed a new approach to managing such information: READ MORE
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Left: NSCOE trainer conducting lecture*
Right: NSCOE expert working with specialized software* (Photos: NSCOE)
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Multiagency training (Photo: NSCOE)
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Nuclear security detection at the railway* (Photo: NSCOE)
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*Please note, all photos were taken during in-person training sessions conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
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These news stories either highlight NSSC Network members at work in the field, or provide information on subjects relevant to the Network.
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Integrated Management System Harmonizes Radiation Safety, Security Objectives
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"Todo está bajo control. (Everything is under control.)” These were the closing words of the last of four scenarios of an audio exercise played at a workshop on the radiation safety and security of radioactive material, delivered in Spanish. The simulation focused on... READ MORE
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Breaking the Glass Ceiling: A Woman’s Story from Radiation Science to Nuclear Security
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Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security since the start of the year, has always had deep interest in science. Growing up in what is today Belarus in a family with a medical background – her father a scientist and her mother a medical practitioner – discussions on medical topics, both the science and the practice, made regular dinnertime conversation. READ MORE
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10 Years of E-learning: Nearly 22,000 Complete Courses in Nuclear Security
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As the nuclear security e-learning programme celebrates 10 years, the milestone is marked with nearly 22,000 course completions by nuclear operators, regulators, policy professionals, academics and students from 170 countries. The IAEA launched the first nuclear security e-learning course, Use of Radiation Detection Instruments for Front Line Officers, in 2010. Since then, the Agency has developed a suite of 17 nuclear security e-learning courses, which are available online at no cost. READ MORE
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Deciphering Radiation Alarms: Using High Purity Germanium Detectors for Nuclear Security
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Nuclear regulators, front line officers, and technical support professionals from 24 countries shared their experiences using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors to maintain and strengthen nuclear security, during a virtual workshop. In recognition of the needs for sharing of knowledge and applications to enhance Member State abilities to use the detectors, the State Nuclear Security Technology Center (SNSTC) in Beijing, China, an IAEA Collaborating Centre in nuclear security, hosted the virtual event on 8-9 December 2020. READ MORE
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IAEA Department of Department of Nuclear Safety and Security Webinars
The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security offers a variety of webinars and online learning courses that are continuously being expanded and updated to meet the growing demand and changing needs of Member States. Participate in the free webinars on the nuclear safety and security topics to strengthen knowledge and raise awareness.
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Upcoming network events
- Annual Meeting of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centre (NSSC Network),
26 - 30 April 2021, Vienna, Austria
- Asia Regional Network Meeting
Q3 2021 (Date and Venue TBD)
- Hungary – Lithuania – Ukraine Consortium Meeting
Q3 2021 (Date and Venue TBD)
- Regional Workshop on IAEA-TDL-010
11 – 15 October, Cairo, Egypt
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Recent member activities
- Japan, ISCN/JAEA: Online Regional Training Course on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Facilities
18 – 29 October 2020
- China, SNSTC: Webinar on the Application of HPGe Detectors for Nuclear Security
8 – 9 December 2020, Beijing, China
- Uganda, AEC: National Training Course for Customs Officers on Detection of Illicit Radioactive Materials at Uganda`s Borders
15 – 19 February 2021, Kampala, Uganda
- Ukraine, GKTC: National Training Course on National Police Role in Detection and Initial Inspection of Radioactive Material Incident Scene
9 – 14 March 2021, Kyiv, Ukraine
*List of member activities selected from the NSSC Network Calendar requesting promotion in the Newsletter
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*New*
IAEA-TDL-010
“Establishing and Operating a National Nuclear Security Support Centre
(Revision of IAEA-TECDOC-1734)”
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In June 2020, the IAEA published the long-awaited revision of TECDOC-1734, which the IAEA and members of the NSSC Network have been working together to develop over the past several years. This publication presents a systematic approach to establishing and operating a national nuclear security support centre (NSSC) as a means to strengthen the sustainability of nuclear security in a State. It provides specific practical guidance to States, detailing a straightforward decision making and project management process drawn from good practices in establishing and operating an NSSC that were identified through the experience and lessons learned from States within the NSSC Network. The publication is intended for use by the IAEA and the NSSC Network as the primary reference for activities to support States with the establishment and operation of an NSSC. On 10 September 2020, the IAEA hosted a Webinar to introduce and explain the contents of this publication to a wider audience. The IAEA and NSSC Network are also now in the process of developing materials for workshops to assist States with implementing the publication.
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Nuclear Security Series No. 38-T
(NSS38-T)
Enhancing Nuclear Security Culture in Organizations Associated with
Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material
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Nuclear security culture is an important component of an effective nuclear security regime, as it serves as a tool to improve the performance of the human component at nuclear facilities and organizations to counter both insider and outsider threats. Security culture connotes not only the technical proficiency of the people but also their awareness of security risks and motivation to follow established procedures, comply with regulations and take the initiative when unforeseen circumstances arise. A workforce made up of individuals who are vigilant, who question irregularities, execute their work diligently and exhibit high standards of personal and collective behaviour is able to achieve effective nuclear security. Building upon this understanding of the importance of a strong nuclear security culture, this publication provides practical guidance on how to implement a systematic nuclear security culture enhancement programme.
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