Jeremy L. Dillon
RW Monitor
8/29/2014
Problems with cybersecurity and the disposal of sealed sources remain the biggest obstacles to the security of radioactive sources, according to the 2014 Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force report, released by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last week. The Task Force was established in 2005 to evaluate and provide recommendations every four years relating to the security of radioactive sources from potential terrorist threats, including acts of sabotage, theft, or use of a radiation source in a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or radioactive exposure device (RED). This year’s report says that improvements in cybersecurity and sealed source disposal would go a long way to diminishing these threats. “The 2014 Task Force report identifies important progress that continues to be made in fostering and tracking the completion and closeout of the remaining recommendations from previous Task Force reports,” NRC Chair Allison Macfarlane said. “Eleven of the 2006 Task Force recommendations and actions and six of the 2010 recommendations have been completed and closed out over the last four years. Three new recommendations with regard to these risk-significant sources are introduced in the latest Task Force Report, including topics covering cybersecurity; disposition/disposal financial planning or other mechanisms; and the transition to effective alternative technologies.”
Task Force Recommendations
The Task Force suggested that licensees begin addressing eventual disposal costs for Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources through financial planning. Currently, due to the high costs of disposal, many licensees lack the motivation to dispose of the sealed sources, so they keep them in storage. The Task Force did note, as well, that commercial disposal options for most of the material are still unavailable, and the current shortage of Type-B shipping containers makes transport of the material difficult. By planning ahead, licensees can better account for the disposal costs. “The Task Force recommends that the NRC evaluate the need for sealed source licensees to address the eventual disposition/disposal costs of Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources through source disposition/disposal financial planning or other mechanisms,” the 2014 report says. “Disposition costs should include the cost of packaging, transport, and disposal (when available) of these sources.”
The report also recommends an analysis of cybersecurity vulnerabilities related to Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources. With the growing sophistication of cyber-threats, the potential for a security breach increases each year. The NRC has even admitted that it had been hacked three times over a three-year time frame by a foreign country, according to reports by NextGov. By looking at potential vuilnerabilities, the Task Force hopes to identify potential problem areas. “The Task Force recommends that U.S. Government agencies assess the adequacy of and coordinate strategies for preventing and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities related to Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources,” the report says.
The report also celebrated six areas that have seen improvement since the 2010 report: Expanded disposal capacity; increased physical protection; enhanced tracking and accounting; increased preparedness and communication; improved transportation security coordination; and heightened international activity and visibility.
