Cybersecurity
Addressing the growing and potentially catastrophic cyber threat to nuclear systems and facilities around the world
The cyber threat has expanded dramatically in recent years, with a series of damaging, high-profile attacks that have made headlines around the world. Nuclear facilities and critical command and control systems are not immune to cyber attack—such an attack could facilitate the theft of weapons-usable nuclear materials or a catastrophic act of sabotage. In addition, there is even the possibility that nuclear weapons command and control could be compromised.
Governments are working to understand and minimize these vulnerabilities, but cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated every day and those responsible—from policymakers to military officials to facility operators to regulators— are working to keep pace.
To address this, NTI is taking a fresh look at the overarching framework and strategy that guides cybersecurity for critical nuclear facilities and systems. We are:
- Working with a global group of experts in nuclear engineering, cyber security, as well as regulators and technology developers on a set of forward-looking, ambitious principles or “rules of the road” for protecting nuclear facilities from cyber threats.
- Convening policy and military advisors to examine vulnerabilities in nuclear command-and-control systems and define actions needed to reduce the threat.
- Working to strengthen global capacity to respond to a cyber attack on nuclear facilities.
Additionally, NTI has publications, video and other materials produced by NTI experts or commissioned by NTI for use in our projects that provide key insight and analysis around the cyber threat to nuclear facilities and command and control.
On July 24, 2019, the Science and Technology Advisory Group was launched to guide NTI’s efforts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by new and emerging technologies to reduce the risks of weapons of mass destruction.
