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Glorfindel

Physical security comprise one of the many elements that makeup a nuclear security program. Protection systems are designed to secure physical assets from unauthorized access and/or removal (pending the strategy). A physical protection system's effectiveness is measured by its ability to detect, delay, and respond to a threat.

Ultimately, the physical protection system is designed so that the time it takes a potential adversary from accomplishing a illicit goal is greater than the time it takes the Anshar protective forces to neutralize that threat.

Since a physical protection system's effectiveness can be measured as a function of time, modeling and simulation are important tools in determining the varied pathways an adversary could follow, where the adversary would be detected, and the time required to respond to that threat.

The AAEA, SNRI, and the security firm Cooperzino has collaborated on a new approach to security called the Glorfindel project. The purpose of this project is to use a predefined Risk Assessment Methodology (RAM) to identify and prioritize risks and determine the best tools to mitigate those risks. If successful, this RAM could be used to evaluate the risk that other facilities across Anshar's nuclear and radiological complex.

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Nuclear Material Control and Accounting Program

An NMAC program is a system designed to detect and deter unauthorized access and control of SNM or the information about that SNM. Much like a Physical Protection System, NMAC systems are designed to achieve specific performance metrics. The basic metrics for a NMAC system is to account and control personnel, material, and the information about that material in order to address theft and diversion concerns. Therefore, an NMAC program encompasses those systems and procedures necessary to:

  • 1. Establish and track nuclear material inventories
  • 2. Detect loss or diversion
  • 3. Control Access
  • 4. Ensure the integrity of those systems and measures
All components within a NMAC system are geared towards achieving these performance metrics.

The first element of the NMAC program is Program administration. This is simply the management aspect of the NMAC program. The Administrative framework of a NMAC program can be broken into 4 distinct subtopics. The Program Administrative element should define, document, and create a process to approve the roles and responsibilities for all individuals that have NMAC responsibilities. Using these defined responsibilities, we can develop a codified training program that is specific to each job task performed in the NMAC Program We manage and monitor the performance of procedures and training defined in the previous 2 bullets.

This includes having a NMAC specific corrective action program that monitors the status of the NMAC improvements based on inefficiences or problems discovered through performance testing and audits. Going through the process of analyzing each job task of personnel within the NMAC program, developing a specific training program for that task, and monitoring the perofrmance of the procedures based on that training institutionalizes the NMAC program and the plan’s goals. Continue Reading More At SNRI