IAEA assists African countries in developing computer security regulations (French Edition)

Africa's demand for radioisotopes is expected to grow in the coming years as more countries scale up their peaceful use of nuclear technology. Increasing rates of cancer have led to greater demand for radiotherapy, radiology, and nuclear medicine. Reliance on nuclear applications for industry, agriculture, and science has grown. This has created a demand for a heightened production of radioisotopes in research reactors. These essential reactors operate on computer-based systems which could be vulnerable to cyber attacks. Like nuclear power plants, research reactors are nuclear facilities which require similar protection plans to prevent, mitigate and respond to potential malicious attacks. Protecting all types of nuclear facilities from such potential attacks is an essential element of the safe and secure use of nuclear technology in Africa. Working to counter these threats, many countries in Africa are learning from experience in Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria, each of which owns and operates a nuclear research reactor. With the support of the IAEA, these three countries are developing and strengthening computer security regulations and implementing programmes to properly secure their facilities against malicious computer-based acts that could potentially have an impact on the nuclear security and safety of the facilities.