Title: Countering security risks to nuclear power plants

Authors: F. Steinhausler

Addresses: Division of Physics and Biophysics, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

Abstract: Between 1972 and 2007, altogether 17 major terror attacks or acts of sabotage were carried out against Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). None of them resulted in an uncontrolled radioactive release. In order to reduce the security risk to NPPs due to terrorists in the future, preemptive measures are necessary to identify their motivation, incentives, and operational and logistical capabilities to implement a successful attack. Physical security has always been a priority for NPP operators, but since 9/11 the global nuclear community has made additional major cooperative efforts to develop a spectrum of measures aimed at countering future security threats to NPPs. An Integrated Modular Security System (IMSS) with modular security layers is proposed for new NPPs.

Keywords: security risks; terrorism; nuclear power plants; NPP; physical protection; countermeasures; modular security systems; nuclear energy; terrorist attacks; sabotage; risk management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2009.027905

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.375 - 386

Published online: 16 Aug 2009 *

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