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Meeting Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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The U.S. Million Person Study of Low-Dose-Rate Health Effects
There is a critical knowledge gap regarding the health consequences of exposure to radiation received gradually over time. While there is a plethora of studies on the risks of adverse outcomes from both acute and high-dose exposures, including the landmark study of atomic bomb survivors, these are not characteristic of the chronic exposure to low-dose radiation encountered in occupational and public settings. In addition, smaller cohorts have limited numbers leading to reduced statistical power.
Michael T. Rowland, Raja Abdul Raja Adnan, J. Scott Purvis, (IAEA)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 1649-1658
Computer security (or Cyber Security) of I&C systems (i.e. sensitive digital assets) at nuclear facilities is of increasing importance based upon the adoption of cyber-attacks as a key component of a potential adversary’s Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs). This new capability (i.e. to launch cyber-attacks) demands that operators of nuclear facilities put in place a programme and measures ensure protection of I&C systems. However, given that resources and time are limited, operators need to apply their limited resources in a manner that maximizes the security benefit. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes the need for efficient and effective approaches to security. IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) Fundamentals NSS 20 [1], Essential Element 9: Use of Risk Informed Approaches states “A nuclear security regime uses risk informed approaches, including in the allocation of resources for nuclear security systems and nuclear security measures and in the conduct of nuclear security related activities that are based on a graded approach and defence in depth.” For computer security, the IAEA defines the concepts of computer security levels and computer security zones in NSS 17 [2]. Computer security levels exist as a requirements specification that details the constraints and conditions imposed that must be met to ensure that appropriate protection is provided to sensitive digital assets. Each individual computer security level will require a graded level of effort (i.e. allocated resources), level of confidence in measures, and a level of adherence to requirements (or procedures) when conducting activities that may affect computer security. Computer security zones have logical and/or physical boundaries for which a common set of requirements (i.e. computer security level) are imposed or applied. Computer security zones exist and consists of boundaries, devices and measures that are observable and/or measurable. The arrangement of computer security zones within a defensive computer security architecture ensure that defence-in-depth is achieved. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of IAEA guidance on the application of a graded approach and defence in depth to computer security at nuclear facilities. The paper will also discuss the concepts of computer security levels and zones as found in IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) publications on computer security.