Let’s Talk About Nuclear Security

Communicating with non-experts, the public or the media about nuclear security requires a delicate balance between transparency and respect for the confidentiality and sensitivity of information. The complexity of the challenge becomes even more evident when considering the highly technical content and terminology used in relation to aspects of nuclear security work, from physical protection to computer security and nuclear forensics.

“Communicating on nuclear security can be as challenging as it is for nuclear safety and radiation protection: topics are technically complex; we need to take into account anxiety and fears related to nuclear energy, as well as misinformation and disinformation,” says Cédric van Caloen, Public and International Affairs Expert at Belgium’s Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC), the national regulatory authority responsible for communication regarding nuclear safety, radiation protection and nuclear security.

At the international level, FANC has been particularly vocal in the area of insider threat mitigation, after experiencing sabotage at the Doel nuclear power plant in 2014. “This is a good example of a topic we communicate on regularly,” highlights van Caloen, making a clear reference to the balance between transparency and confidentiality. “Our role is to inform the public in a transparent way of potential risks and security measures, while also maintaining the confidentiality necessary to protect sensitive information”.

Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) identifies two primary audiences for its communication activities: government agencies and the general public. “In practice, the technical divisions at BAPETEN engage directly with government agencies to emphasize messages pertaining to potential nuclear security incidents, radiation detection equipment and the consequences of radiation, as well as the prevention and detection purposes of nuclear security measures,” says Retno Agustyah, Public Relations Specialist at BAPETEN. “The public communications division focuses more on improving public awareness of the benefits and risks of nuclear, which leads to public trust in what BAPETEN is doing to maintain nuclear security,” she adds.

Agustyah points out that the diversity of Indonesian society poses a huge challenge when communicating about nuclear security. Indonesia is an archipelagic country with 1340 ethnic groups, 38 provinces and a population of 276 million. “Given that 77 per cent of the population use the Internet to obtain life-improving information, BAPETEN employs its official website and social media to disseminate comprehensible information regarding nuclear security in Indonesia, in addition to conducting in-person meetings,” says Agustyah. “Our ultimate purpose is to determine the strategy, messages and channels that will be most effective in conveying nuclear security-related information, leading to public awareness, acceptance and required actions”.

Bilal Mushtaq, Emergency Response Officer at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, describes his country’s communication approach for nuclear security events: “Keeping the public informed is essential for maintaining order and mitigating effects in case of a nuclear security event. Pakistan has an elaborate system for clear and continuous communication with the public”. He explains that the Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Support Centre (NURESC) at the Nuclear Emergency Management System is designed to connect with the operator, the regulator, the National Disaster Management Authority and other stakeholders. “In case of an event, NURESC shall conduct public communications in simple and easily comprehensible language through the relevant media channels”.

Communication about nuclear security is important because it is directly linked with strengthening public confidence in nuclear science and technology applications for peaceful purposes. The IAEA’s role in communication about nuclear security is outlined in the Nuclear Security Plan 2022–2025 and in the nuclear security resolutions of the IAEA General Conference.

“Raising awareness about the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Programme and how it assists countries in achieving nuclear security globally requires targeted promotion and outreach,” says Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “Systematic communication can contribute to further improving nuclear security culture, and this is one of the main reasons why countries are encouraged to share good practices and participate in information exchange platforms”.

Effective public communication is crucial in order to demystify nuclear security. The IAEA’s future plans include the development of a specific training module on public communication in nuclear security. This module will be part of the suite of assistance offered by the IAEA at its Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre to help countries enhance their capabilities.