Physical security in practice

Nuclear safety and security are, particularly today and in the years to come, the two most vital aspects of nuclear technology. On the one hand, nuclear safety comprises radiation protection, emergency preparedness prevention of accidents, and mitigation of accidents’ consequences. On the other side, nuclear security consists of physical protection, protection of nuclear installations, nuclear materials, and other sources of nuclear radiation against unauthorized use, as well as cyber security and information security. Apart from illegal treatment, non-nuclear and nuclear radioactive materials can be released into the environment via the emissions from industrial installations, due to accidents but also due to military or terrorist actions. Any nuclear installation (a nuclear power plant or a research reactor) can be a potential target for sabotage or theft of nuclear fuel that is possessed at a reactor and that is why it should be protected, i.e. nuclear security should be implemented there.