Building Robust Nuclear Security Culture in Nuclear Research Centers

Nuclear research centers generally house many facilities and carry out many types of activities. They handle a variety of radioisotopes for research and education, in addition to medical, industrial and agriculture applications. A research center will have diverse categories of visitors, ranging from the users of radioisotopes to students, researchers and faculty members from universities. The activities, visitors, isotopes, etc. may also change with time. This could give a different threat perception to nuclear research centers compared to that in nuclear power plants or fuel cycle facilities. In addition to good physical protection systems, a robust nuclear security culture is necessary to address these threats. Nuclear security culture is a means to improve human performance at nuclear facilities, which are exposed to threats from outside and insider. It introduces a questioning attitude among individuals, keeps them vigilant and makes them aware of what is happening in their organization. (author)