Addressing Cyber Threats to Ensure Nuclear Security and Safety: IAEA Conference on Computer Security Begins

Addressing the conference participants, Mr Grossi referred to the newly constructed Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre (NSTDC) at the IAEA’s laboratories in Seibersdorf, to be opened later this year. “This will allow us to have yet another facility where many of the activities relevant to the conference will take place for the benefit of all,” Mr Grossi said. 

At the opening session, participants witnessed a fictitious cyber-attack through a series of videos depicting an attack on an imaginary facility. The narrated scenario highlighted the importance of protecting digital systems, such as instrument and control systems, that are used for key safety and security applications.

In her welcome address, the conference President, Na Young Lee, Director General, Office of Nuclear Nonproliferation in the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), invited the participants “to embark on a journey to explore the paramount importance of cyber security in our interconnected world”. Lee spoke about the wealth of knowledge and insights that the conference scientific programme offers, including over 100 papers and 34 poster presentations and the cyber village. The conference offers “a comprehensive learning experience allowing for interactive discussions on computer security,” she said.

Conference attendees have an opportunity for a hands-on experience. The interactive Cyber Village depicts what computer security entails for facilities handling nuclear or other radioactive material.

The Cyber Village is divided into three areas: a technical exchange area for live demonstrations, a virtual training area, and a third area where selected participating countries and organizations present mini demonstrations. During the Cyber Village sessions, participants can engage with computer security experts to learn and enhance their understanding of the latest developments to identify, detect, mitigate and respond to cyberthreats.

Since 2011, the Nuclear Security Plans implemented by the IAEA have included information and computer security as an essential part of nuclear security measures, along with physical protection. The information and computer security activities currently implemented by the IAEA are outlined in the latest Nuclear Security Plan 2022-2025. The primary focus areas are developing guidance agreed by consensus to address countries’ needs with regard to computer security and nuclear security, providing training courses and capacity building in line with the guidance, facilitating information exchange and sharing experiences through technical meetings and other fora, and conducting research activities about computer security.

The new IAEA Bulletin, Computer Security in the Nuclear World, features articles on the key elements of a computer security programme, the impact of artificial intelligence on information and computer security, international collaboration, the interface between safety and security, and much more.

Registered participants can access conference sessions through the IAEA Conferences and Meetings app, available on the App Store and Google Play. The opening and closing sessions are livestreamed.

The conference is supported by funding from the European Union, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Follow the conference on social media with #CyberCon23.