Laura S. H. Holgate Ambassador (ret.)
Vice President, Materials Risk Management
NTI Nuclear Security Index
Building a framework for assurance, accountability and action
Challenge
Global leaders meeting had no baseline for assessing the security of weapons-usable nuclear materials or nuclear facilities.
Action
With the Economist Intelligence Unit, NTI created a first-of-its-kind public benchmarking of nuclear security in 176 countries.
Results
The Nuclear Security Index helped shape the agenda for the Nuclear Security Summits and spurs action to enhance security and reduce highly-enriched uranium stocks.
The 2020 NTI Nuclear Security Index website and report are now available here.
Translations of the report are available here.
The NTI Nuclear Security Index is a first-of-its-kind public benchmarking project of nuclear security conditions on a country-by-country basis in 176 countries. Initially launched in 2012, the NTI Index, prepared with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), has sparked international discussions about priorities required to strengthen security and most important, is encouraging governments to provide assurances and take actions to reduce risks.
The NTI Index is recognized as the premier resource and tool for tracking progress on nuclear security. The 2018 NTI Nuclear Security Index assesses the security of some of the world’s deadliest materials (highly enriched uranium and plutonium that can be used to build nuclear weapons), as well as the security of nuclear facilities, which, if sabotaged, could release dangerous levels of radiation.
The NTI Index ranks countries with one kilogram or more of weapons-usable nuclear materials across a broad framework capturing policies, actions, and other conditions that shape their nuclear security. Additional countries with less than one kilogram of weapons-usable nuclear materials or none at all are assessed across a subset of the framework. This “Theft Ranking” has been included in every edition of the NTI Index.
In 2016, the NTI Index added a third set of countries in a new “Sabotage Ranking.” An act of sabotage against a nuclear facility could lead to a dangerous radiation release. This assessment reviews the protection of nuclear facilities against sabotage in 44 countries and Taiwan.
The project draws on NTI’s nuclear expertise and the EIU’s experience in constructing indices, and the reach of the EIU’s global network analysts and contributors. NTI—working with an international panel of nuclear security experts and a number of technical advisors—focused on the framework and priorities that define effective nuclear materials security conditions. The EIU was responsible for developing the Excel-based model and gathering the data.
The NTI Index consists of:
- The print report with NTI findings and recommendations, methodology FAQs, and selected country summaries.
- A web site at www.ntiindex.org with high-level results in an easily accessible format, including all country summaries.
- A downloadable version of the NTI Index, available through the website, with complete results and data and extended interactive features, in an Excel format.
This project is led by Laura S. H. Holgate Ambassador (ret.), vice president, Materials Risk Management, with Scott Roecker, senior director, Materials Risk Management, Jack Brosnan, program officer, Materials Risk Management, and Samantha Neakrase, senior director, Materials Risk Management. NTI thanks the funders who have supported this project, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Robertson Foundation, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.
2021
NTI Webinar on IAEA Information Circulars as Global Tools for Nuclear Security
Nuclear security experts from around the world joined NTI Tuesday for a webinar on “Global Tools for Nuclear Security: An Introduction to IAEA Information Circulars on Nuclear Security.”
2021
New NTI Paper Identifies Strengths and Weaknesses in the Global Nuclear Security Architecture
Countries should step up their efforts to close gaps and support, contribute to, and participate in efforts to bolster the global nuclear security architecture.
2020
Nuclear Security is Only as Strong as the Weakest Link: 2020 NTI Index Highlights Cybersecurity and Insider Threat Prevention
Nuclear Security is Only as Strong as the Weakest Link: 2020 NTI Index Highlights Cybersecurity and Insider Threat Prevention
2020
The NTI Nuclear Security Index
Assesses countries’ progress on nuclear security, highlights security gaps, and recommends actions for governments to better protect nuclear materials and facilities and build an effective global nuclear security architecture.
2020
Past Event
Launch Event: 2020 NTI Nuclear Security Index Rankings
11:00 AM EDT
2019
NTI Awards Two Grants to Improve Nuclear Security Conditions Worldwide
NTI announces the winners of the 2019 NTI Nuclear Security Index Challenge.
2018
NTI Nuclear Security Index Challenge: Call for Submissions
NTI Nuclear Security Index Challenge calls for proposals that use the rankings to spur government action.
2018
Past Event
Release of 2018 NTI Security Index and Cyber report
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC
2018
Important Nuclear Security Progress Now in Jeopardy, According to 2018 NTI Index
The NTI Nuclear Security Index finds that the steps countries have taken to reduce nuclear terrorism are jeopardized by various factors.
2018
NTI Expert Describes Cyber Risks to Nuclear Facilities at Nuclear Security Workshop in Oslo
The group discussed nuclear security and nuclear forensics techniques, crucial aspects to tracking nuclear material.
2017
NTI Expert discusses WMD issues with NextGen Group
NTI's Michelle Nalabandian joined the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Pugwash Association in Cairo, meeting with young professionals to discuss WMD issues.
2017
Erin D. Dumbacher Joins NTI as Program Officer for Scientific and Technical Affairs
Dr. Page Stoutland, Vice President for Scientific and Technical Affairs lauded Dumbacher's experience with cyber security and national security policy.
2017
New Database Documents all Iran Missile Tests since 1988
This first-of-its-kind, downloadable database is accompanied by an interactive map that illustrates the tests by location, missile name and type, and results.
2017
New Analysis and Interactives Uncover the Story of North Korea’s Missile Test
On May14th, North Korea tested its longest-range missile to date, the Hwasong-12, which flew 787 kilometers with the potential to go much further.
2016
For Professors: Updated Curriculum Based on NTI Index Now Available
An updated, two-session education module on nuclear materials security for undergraduate or graduate courses is now available, based on the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit
2016
Asia-Pacific Experts Respond to the 2016 Nuclear Security Index
The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network released a series of articles providing regional perspectives to the Nuclear Threat Initiatives 2016 Nuclear Security Index.
2016
Past Event
Nuclear Security in the Middle East
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 1400 K Street, NW, Suite 1225, Washington, DC, 20005
2016
Past Event
Plutonium & Highly Enriched Uranium 2015
Lindner Commons, 6th floor, 1957 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
2016
Washington Post Raises Concerns For Nuclear Security Progress Post-Summit
Washington Post praises achievements but also raises concerns about future progress after the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit.
2016
NTI Experts Available for 2016 Nuclear Security Summit
While the three previous Nuclear Security Summits have resulted in much progress to secure the world’s vulnerable nuclear materials, significant security gaps remain.
2016
WATCH the Launch of the 2016 NTI Nuclear Security Index
New videos are available of the launch of the 2016 Nuclear Security Index, a unique public assessment of the security of the world’s deadliest materials.
2016
As Final Head-of-State Nuclear Security Summit Approaches, Nunn and NTI Warn of Slowing Progress on Preventing Nuclear Terrorism
The 2016 NTI Nuclear Security Index finds that progress on reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism has slowed and major gaps remain in the global nuclear security system.
2016
Past Event
2016 NTI Nuclear Security Index Launch
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
2015
Institute for Science & Int’l Security Releases New Civil HEU Numbers
Because highly enriched uranium (HEU) is a key ingredient in nuclear weapons, it is important to track how much civil HEU exists and where it is.
2014
Past Event
The Future of Global Nuclear Security Policy Summit
Newseum, Washington, DC
2014
NTI Index Report in Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French & Spanish
Download the Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, or Spanish translations of the 2014 NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index report’s foreword, executive summary, and select country profiles.
2014
NTI Experts Available for the Nuclear Security Summit
NTI experts available to members of the new media covering the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit
2014
Past Event
Countdown to the Nuclear Security Summit 2014
Washington, DC
2014
NTI Celebrates Progress, Congratulates 7 Countries that Eliminated Materials
A new video, shown at the launch of the 2014 NTI Index, applauds the seven countries that removed all or most weapons-usable nuclear materials since 2012.
2014
VIDEO: The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism
A new, short video describes three real-world nuclear security breaches and the steps to prevent terrorists from getting a nuclear weapon.
2014
Past Event
Launch of the 2014 NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index
National Press Club
2014
Nunn and Rohlfing at the 2014 NTI Index Launch
NTI Co-Chairman Sam Nunn speaks at the release of the 2014 NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index launch at the National Press Club.
2014
Releasing the 2014 NTI Index, Nunn Calls on Leaders To Address Weaknesses in Global Nuclear Security
Index Highlights Positive Trends and Dangerous Gaps As World Leaders Prepare for Nuclear Security Summit in March
2014
2014 Nuclear Materials Security Index To Be Launched by NTI, Will Assess Nuclear Materials Security Worldwide
The release of the 2014 NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index, a unique public assessment of nuclear materials security conditions in 176 countries.
2013
Gains in Global Nuclear Security
In January 2012, the NTI released their Nuclear Materials Security Index, a first-of-its-kind public assessment of nuclear materials security conditions in 176 countries.
2012
Past Event
Japan, Nonproliferation, and Nuclear Security: Cooperation for Regional Security in Asia
Washington, DC
2012
Past Event
A Next Step in Nuclear Arms Control: Securing Fissile Materials
The Brookings Institution
2012
NTI Contributes to Inaugural Publication
NTI contributes an article on the NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index to the inaugural INENS Insights publication, distributed at the NPT PrepCom in May 2012
2012
MacArthur Foundation Interviews Deepti Choubey
NTI's Deepta Choubey was featured alongside MacArthur Foundation President Bob Gallucci and Harvard's Matt Bunn.
2012
Choubey on Nuclear Materials Security in the Middle East
NTI senior director, Deepti Choubey, noted that transparency is a key issue for countries in the region with weapons-usable nuclear materials.
2012
Past Event
London Briefing of the 2012 NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index
London, United Kingdom
2012
Past Event
Briefing of the NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index
Vienna, Austria
2012
NTI Launches Nuclear Materials Security Index
The Index examines nuclear security conditions in 176 countries, underscoring that there is no global consensus on steps to secure nuclear materials.
2012
Past Event
NTI Nuclear Materials Security Index Launch
National Press Club, Washington, DC
2012
ADVISORY: Nuclear Materials Security Index to Launch
The Index was created to spark an international discussion about priorities required to strenghten security and ensure governments reduce risks.