Nuclear Security 

While security of the nuclear facilities and materials the NRC regulates has always been a priority, the 

terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, spurred even more stringent security requirements. Today, NRCregulated nuclear facilities are considered among the most secure of the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Robust security is achieved in layers, with multiple approaches at work concurrently – just as safety in 

nuclear power plants is accomplished through 

duplicate back-up systems. Nuclear power plants 

are inherently secure, robust structures. They are 

built to withstand hurricanes, tornadoes and 

earthquakes. Licensees are required to maintain 

robust security measures, such as well-trained and 

armed security officers, physical barriers, and 

intrusion detection and surveillance systems to 

defend against possible threats. 

Federal and state agencies work together to 

communicate threat information and coordinate 

response activities. The NRC works closely with 

the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, intelligence agencies, the departments of Defense and 

Energy, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies. These relationships ensure the NRC can act 

quickly on any threats to its licensed facilities.

Nuclear Facility Security

The NRC requires nuclear power plants and some nuclear fuel facilities to have significant security 

measures in place. Research and test reactors, radiological material holders and others licensed by the 

NRC also must have security measures in place.

Security enhancements put in place since 2001 for nuclear power plants include:

• Upgraded physical security plans

• Enhanced security officer training

• Increased security patrols

• Additional physical barriers

• Greater stand-off distances for vehicle checks

• More restrictive site access controls
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Nuclear power plants and certain fuel fabrication facilities must show they can defend against a set of 

adversary characteristics called the Design Basis Threat. The specific details of the DBT are not publicly 

available. But, in general, the DBT outlines threats and adversary characteristics against which these 

facilities must demonstrate they can defend. The DBT is based on realistic assessments of the tactics, 

techniques and procedures used by terrorist groups and organizations. The NRC is constantly evaluating 

the threat environment and considers changes to the DBT if necessary.

The NRC’s security baseline inspection program is the primary way the agency verifies nuclear power 

plants are operating according to security regulations. Force-on-force security inspections are part of this 

program. In these inspections, a specially trained mock adversary force “attacks” the facility using the 

DBT attributes. In 2004, the NRC implemented more realistic force-on-force exercises on a more 

aggressive schedule that tests facilities more frequently and with more challenging scenarios. 

Security Personnel

One of the most important components of security programs at nuclear power facilities is the security 

force. Regulations enacted since 2001 required power plants to add more training and higher 

qualification standards for security personnel, while increasing 

the number of officers on the force. In order to minimize 

security personnel fatigue and ensure a vigilant and effective 

security force, the NRC also instituted additional fitness-forduty requirements and work hours controls.

In January 2006, the NRC entered into an agreement with the 

federal Terrorist Screening Center to review records of 

individuals with unescorted access to nuclear power reactor 

facilities. This collaborative effort streamlined the collection 

and dissemination of information used to determine, and periodically verify, the trustworthiness of 

individuals with unescorted access to certain vital areas of nuclear power plants.

Research

Research has always played a large part in supporting the NRC’s mission. Since 2001, changes in the 

threat environment and improvements in technology that allow more sophisticated analyses have 

accelerated the pace of power plant research. The NRC initiated a security and engineering review based 

on the 2001 terror attacks. The review looked at what might happen if terrorists used an aircraft to attack 

a nuclear power plant. The NRC also assessed the potential consequences of other types of terrorist 

attacks. To assist the NRC, experts from Department of Energy’s laboratories used state-of-the-art 

experiments and structural and fire analyses. While the details are classified, the studies confirm the 

likelihood of a radioactive release affecting public health and safety is low. Another study analyzed how 

nuclear power plants would withstand damage to, or loss of, large areas of the plant caused by large fires 

or explosions. Based on insights from these studies, additional mitigating capabilities were put in place 

at all nuclear power plants.
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Coordination and Communications

The NRC coordinates with many federal organizations to assure security of its licensees. The timely 

sharing of accurate information among the NRC, other federal agencies and the nuclear industry is 

critical to preventing or mitigating the effects of terrorist attacks. The NRC has agreements with the 

Federal Aviation Administration and the North American Aerospace Defense Command to provide early 

warning of airborne threats to NRC-licensed facilities. Additionally, the NRC’s highly-trained 

specialists review intelligence and threat-related information from a range of sources in order to assess 

suspicious activity related to its licensees. 

NRC Operations Center and Emergency Plans

The NRC’s Operations Center, located at agency headquarters, is staffed around the clock to receive 

information regarding events involving licensed nuclear materials, assist in emergency response 

activities, and promptly notify other federal agencies of those events. The NRC upgraded its Operations 

Center to enhance the effectiveness of safety and security response and coordination activities. Similar 

upgrades have been completed at the NRC’s four Regional Incident Response Centers. The NRC 

participates in emergency response exercises related to security and terrorism, and participates in 

national-level interagency exercises.

More Information

While many of the details of the NRC’s security requirements are not public to avoid assisting potential 

adversaries, general information about security at nuclear power plants is available to the public through 

the NRC Web site and a variety of NRC publications. See related information about security here:

Cyber Security

Force on Force Inspections

Protecting our Nation

Dirty Bombs

National Source Tracking System

Incident Response

Emergency Preparedness

April 2019