Home

# Nuclear Security and Safeguards

The terms *safeguards* and *security* are generally used to describe programs that promote the common defense and security and protect public health and safety by guarding against theft and sabotage. The licensee security programs and contingency plans deal with threats, thefts, and sabotage relating to special nuclear material, high-level radioactive wastes, nuclear facilities, and other radioactive materials and activities that the NRC regulates.

The NRC ensures safeguards and security by regulating licensees' (a) accounting systems for special nuclear and source materials and (b) security programs and contingency plans. These responsibilities include:
            - Domestic Safeguards
            - Information Security
            - Cybersecurity
            - Radioactive Material Security
            - Required Reporting for Clearance Holders
            - Insider Threat Program for Licensees
            - Licensee Criminal History Records Checks & Firearms Background Check Information
            - Contact Us About Public Meetings on Nuclear Security and Safeguards

Sections 3(c) and (e) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as revised, and Section 204(b)(1) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 give NRC the responsibility for ensuring that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy "make the maximum contribution to the common defense and security and the national welfare, and ... provide continued assurance of the Government's ability to enter into and enforce agreements with nations or groups of nations for the control of special nuclear material."

## Additional Information

            - Post 9/11 Information (correspondence, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, press releases, speeches, and testimony)
            - Frequently Asked Questions About NRC's Response to the 9/11 Events
            - Frequently Asked Questions About Force-on-Force Security Exercises at Nuclear Power Plants
            - Frequently Asked Questions About Security Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants
            - Frequently Asked Questions About NRC's Design Basis Threat Final Rule
            - Public Meetings on Nuclear Security and Safeguards
            - Fuel Cycle - Physical Security Requirements for Facilities With Category II Quantities of Special Nuclear Material Informational Sheet

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Section Navigation

#### Navigation

          - Nuclear Reactors
          - Nuclear Materials
          - Radioactive Waste
          - Nuclear Security
          - Public Involvement
          - NRC Library
          - About NRC
          - Facility Locator
          - Data
          - Agreement States
          - Site Help
          - For Employees

#### Spotlight

#### Choose a Section

                - The Commission
                - License Renewal Generic Environmental Review
                - Job Openings
                - Palisades Restart
                - Environmental Justice 
                - Pilgrim Water Releases
                - Monticello Tritium Issue
                - International Strategy 2021-2025
                - Tribal Liaison Program
                - MAP-X
                - Transformation at the NRC - Updated
                - OIG Hotline
                - Rulemaking Activity
                - Commission Documents
                - Advanced Reactors
                - Nuclear Security
                - Strategic Plan

#### Key Topics

            - Protecting Our Nation
            - Emergency Preparedness in Response to Terrorism
            - Annual Report to Congress

#### Related Information

            - OPM Data Breach Information
            - Backgrounder on Force-on-Force Security Exercises at Nuclear Power Plants
            - Security Orders
            - International Safeguards

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, October 06, 2021