The National Nuclear Regulator has developed requirements for the assurance of nuclear security or physical protection system (PPS) at nuclear installations or associated actions in accordance to the National Nuclear Regulator Act (No.47 of 1999), the South African Nuclear Energy Policy (2008), Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) and IAEA Nuclear Security Series No.7. The IAEA Nuclear Security Series No.7 is the IAEA implementing guide on Nuclear Security Culture which provides characteristics, attitudes and behavior of individuals, organizations and institutions in supporting the establishment of effective nuclear security. Therefore individuals and associated institutions have to be vigilant and ensure implementation of measures to prevent and respond to threat of sabotage or use of radioactive material for malevolent actions. The enforcement of the compliance assurance programmes in respect of nuclear security or physical protection system is such that the synergistic relationship or co-existence between nuclear safety, security and safeguards is maintained.
Established PPS or physical security shall be characterized by active and passive measures designed (i) to safeguard personnel, (ii) to prevent the unauthorized access to equipment, a facility or installation, audit materials, information, documents or electronic data, and (iii) to safeguard all these items against industrial espionage, sabotage, damage and/or theft. Therefore, licensed or authorized operators shall ensure that security measures provided for handled or processed radioactive material (or nuclear material) and controlled information are in accordance to binding international instruments such as, |