Meeting the Challenge of the Safety-Security Interface: IAEA's Role in Supporting the Enhancement of Technical Competence and Support for Nuclear Security within Technical Support Organizations [Abstract only]

Full text: Nuclear security and nuclear safety have in common the aim of protecting persons, property, society and the environment, in the case of safety from the harmful consequences of ionizing radiation and in the case of nuclear security from the harmful consequences of a nuclear security event. Establishment of effective nuclear security measures require an understanding of the interface between safety and security measures and an awareness of the need to optimize the effectiveness of each. Nuclear security requires a State to focus on prevention of, detection of and response to criminal and intentional unauthorized acts directed at or involving nuclear material, radioactive material, associated facilities and associated activities. Nuclear security is a State responsibility and developing and implementing an effective national nuclear security infrastructure is a key requirement for every country and is built on a foundation of legal, regulatory, technical and administrative competence in nuclear security. Appropriate management of the interface between safety and security results in both safety and security in a State being strengthened and enhances each State's capacity to protect and secure its nuclear and other radioactive material, associated facilities and associated activities. Traditionally many Technical Support Organizations have been focused on support for nuclear safety. However, in many countries this has changed over time, particularly where a single regulatory body has responsibility for safety and security and has access to the services of a Technical Support Organization. The last international conference on Technical Support Organizations convened in Tokyo recommended that Technical Support Organization functions be extended to providing technical support to competent authorities in the field of nuclear security. This paper will focus on the role of the IAEA in supporting, upon request, the development of technical competence in nuclear security in all States in order that the safety-security interface is appropriately managed and the capacities of technical support organizations be expanded to include nuclear security. This paper will examine a number of modalities for this support, including national and regional nuclear security support centres, collaborative knowledge networks, guidance and training. (author)