NUCLEAR SECURITY, SAFETY, AND SAFEGUARDS (3S): AN INMM AGENDA FOR MOVING FORWARD

Year
2024
Author(s)
Adam D. Williams - Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
Kimberly Lawrence - Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
Abstract

Efforts to illustrate and improve the integration between safety, security, and (international) safeguards—the so-called 3S—are increasingly important the professional nuclear materials management community. In response, the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) convened the Advanced Reactor 3S (Safety, Security, and Safeguards) workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico in February 2024. The workshop focused on identifying engineered solutions for integrating nuclear safety, security and international safeguards, as well as exploring ‘by-design’ concepts to address related interfaces. Bringing together the experience and expertise of the INMM community to investigate potential solutions through presentations, table-top exercises, and dialogue in breakout sessions provided a breadth of information on the current state of 3S—and potential future needs. Workshop participants also provided insights into how effectively the INMM currently supports 3S efforts, where 3S gaps and needs exist, and recommendations on what INMM should do to support future efforts. Synthesizing 3S-related thoughts, concerns, key needs, and opportunities identified by this community offers a clear technical agenda—and path for thought leadership—for the INMM moving forward. This paper briefly summarizes the current state of 3S discussions, as well as highlights the driving factors for this INMM workshop. Then, this paper describes the structure, logistics, agenda, and participant demographics of the workshop—illustrating the range of interest and capabilities addressed by the INMM community. After describing two different data sets collected at the event, this paper evaluates key trends and unique outliers related to identifying, mitigating, or leverage interfaces between security, safety, and (international) safeguards. Lastly, the paper will offer conclusions and insights—as well as potential next steps—in terms of a “roadmap” for the INMM community to follow to optimize 3S integration for nuclear materials management.