Radiological and Nuclear Security in A Global Context

TL;DR

This paper reviews global nuclear and radiological security, highlighting vulnerabilities due to unaccounted materials and detection gaps, and discusses the persistent threat of terrorist use of such materials despite safeguards.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of current security measures and identifies key challenges and vulnerabilities in nuclear and radiological security worldwide.

Findings

Unaccounted radiological materials pose security risks.

Detection regimes are inconsistently implemented across regions.

The threat of terrorist use of nuclear materials remains significant.

Abstract

This paper considers the state of nuclear and radiological security in the UK and abroad and reports on the methods that could be employed by terrorists with radiological or nuclear material to cause destruction. It is shown that despite current safeguards that problems arise due to materials that are unaccounted for and poor implementation of detection regimes in some geographical regions. The prospect of a future terrorist event that involves nuclear or radiological materials seems likely despite best efforts of prevention.