A trilateral security workshop held in Washington DC this month brought together senior leaders from The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and our counterparts from the United States and Canada - part of our drive for effective engagement on a worldwide platform.
The event was attended in person by Paul Fyfe, Director of ONR's Civil Nuclear Security and Safeguards (CNSS) division and Paul Shanes, Professional Lead for Cyber Security and Information Assurance.
They joined representatives from other worldwide regulators - the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
The workshop aligned with ONR’s ongoing commitment to developing high international nuclear standards within security and safeguards and for those to be incorporated into the UK regulatory system.
How we all regulate nuclear security was shared among the regulators and how each of us have conducted remote inspections at sites during the COVID pandemic.
Another key topic was the regulation of advanced nuclear reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) along with conversations about physical protection, cyber security and security of the supply chain.
Of interest to the Americans and Canadians was ONR's outcome focused approach which facilitates the deployment of novel technologies and innovation.
Other staff from ONR joined the tri-lateral workshop remotely, with all countries having members present in person, as well as virtually.
Paul Shanes, ONR's Professional Lead for Cyber Security and Information Assurance, said “Whilst there was a clear value in being physically present, the group successfully managed to make the virtual dynamic work too, despite the time difference.
"This demonstrated both the value in travel as we emerge from the pandemic, and the opportunities available for wider virtual participation.”
- ONR's Civil Nuclear Security and Safeguards (CNSS) division is responsible for approving security arrangements within the UK civil nuclear industry.
Through the CNSS division, ONR regulates the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials on civil licensed nuclear sites, nuclear materials off licensed sites, domestic transport of nuclear materials by road, rail and sea, international transport of nuclear and other radioactive materials by UK flagged vessels and sensitive nuclear information wherever it is held.