Virtual Environments for Global Access to Nuclear Security Education

The integration of modeling and simulation tools into courses using virtual machine environments enables global access for students to engage in practical exercises and laboratory work as part of the Penn State University nuclear security master’s degree program. Tools and supporting material from IAEA, U.S. national laboratories, and commercial vendors provide students the opportunity to work on practical examples using the same principles and software they will apply in their professional careers in nuclear security. This paper will describe the tools used, virtual machines, and exercises done by students as they gain practical experience in applying new knowledge - all in a virtual environment available worldwide, on-demand. This approach enables achievement of the learning objectives, exercises, and laboratory work of several modules of the IAEA Model Academic Curriculum in Nuclear Security such as the design and evaluation of a physical protection system with opportunities for students to consider an integrated safety, security, and safeguards (3S) approach - 3S by design. A new course in nuclear cybersecurity will provide students with practical experience in assessing the cyber and physical impacts of cyberattacks as well as evaluating and redesigning systems to improve the computer security of a nuclear facility, all in a virtual environment.