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 attacks—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.
Erin Dumbacher, senior program officer of NTI’s Scientific and Technical Affairs Program, and Lynn Rusten, vice president of NTI’s Global Nuclear Policy Program, call attention to the cyber risks inherent in nuclear weapons systems and modernization efforts in a recent article published by The National Interest, “Nuclear Weapons Must Be Safe from Cyber Threats.”
Building Global Cybersecurity Capacity at Nuclear Facilities
Developing Options to Address Cyber Threats to Nuclear Weapons
As cyber capabilities evolve and nuclear weapons systems become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, the risk increases that nuclear weapons will be used by accident or miscalculation.
As the war in Ukraine continues, destroying cities and causing the worst humanitarian crisis in Europe in a generation, NTI’s policy experts are fanning out across the news media to discuss the implications of Putin’s actions
Erin Dumbacher, senior program officer of NTI’s Scientific and Technical Affairs Program, and Lynn Rusten, vice president of NTI’s Global Nuclear Policy Program, call attention to the cyber risks inherent in nuclear weapons systems and modernization efforts in a recent article published by The National Interest, “Nuclear Weapons Must Be Safe from Cyber Threats.”
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NTI explores the risks and benefits related to the digitization and automation plans for modernization of U.S. nuclear weapons systems and addresses implications for the national security community to consider as the process moves forward.
A n NTI report warns that the digitization and automation plans for the first major upgrade of the U.S. nuclear weapons systems in years carry risks alongside key benefits.
