Vulnerable Position Identification

In 2020, a multi-discipline team sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of International Nuclear Security, evaluated key positions associated with the transportation of nuclear material. These positions were assessed based on the individual’s access, authority and knowledge, the three key elements of an insider. An elementary methodology was developed for this process and each position was assigned a color-coded determination, green, yellow, and red. Red indicated the position with the most cause for concern for exploitation. This assessment has initiated a discussion to explore similar rankings of vulnerable positions, allowing for a tailored mitigation method to be created based on the most vulnerable, by access, authorization, and knowledge, to be developed at nuclear fixed sites. This paper and presentation is meant to define the potential for applying this elementary methodology to fixed sites and ascertain the applicability of this process among the global nuclear community.