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Fact Sheet on Force-on-Force Security ExercisesSecurity is a priority for the NRC - it is one of our strategic goals. Force-on-Force (FOF) inspections are an essential part of NRC's oversight of nuclear power plant security programs. One of the NRC's responses to September 11th was to upgrade the security forces at nuclear facilities around the country. To test the adequacy of the security forces, the NRC implemented a more robust FOF inspection program. Background
A full FOF inspection, spanning two weeks, includes both table-top drills and simulated combat Exercises between a mock commando-type adversary force and the nuclear plant security force. During the attack, the adversary force attempts to reach and simulate damage to key safety systems and components that protect the reactor's core (containing radioactive fuel) or the spent nuclear fuel pool, potentially causing a radioactive release to the environment. The nuclear power plant's security force, in turn, seeks to stop the adversaries from reaching the plant's equipment and causing such a release. These exercises may include a wide array of federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency planning officials in addition to plant operators and NRC personnel. Before Sept. 11, 2001 Before Sept. 11, 2001, NRC conducted FOF inspections about once every eight years at all 65 U.S. nuclear plant sites, in addition to the baseline security inspection program. These inspections were conducted at about eight sites per year. Immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks, nuclear plants went to their highest level of security. FOF inspections were temporarily halted at that time because they would have distracted plant security forces. Instead, NRC security staff focused on strengthening and monitoring security improvements that nuclear power plants made in response to NRC advisories. Changes Since 9/11 After Sept. 11, 2001, the NRC worked to strengthen its security programs while it reevaluated its DBT and improved its FOF inspections. In one of its key decisions, the Commission increased the frequency of FOF exercises starting in the fall 2004, so that NRC would evaluate each plant site once every three years. All licensees conduct tactical security exercises in the intervening years.
In November 2004, the NRC began implementing its redesigned, full-scale FOF program, incorporating experience and lessons learned since Sept. 11, 2001. The current program reflects the supplemented DBT and greatly increases the level of realism, while ensuring the safety of plant employees and the public. NRC gives plant operators some advance notice of FOF inspections for safety and logistical purposes and to provide adequate planning time for coordination of the efforts of two sets of security officers –– one for maintaining actual security, another for participating in the exercise. In addition, arrangements must be made for a group of individuals who will control and monitor the exercise. A key goal is to balance personnel safety, while maintaining actual plant security during exercises that are as realistic as possible. In preparation for FOF exercises, information from table-top drills, inspections, and security plan reviews are used to design a number of commando-style attacks seeking to probe for potential deficiencies in the protective strategy. The aim of the site's defenders is to keep the attackers from destroying or damaging key equipment. Any potentially significant deficiencies in the protective strategy identified during FOF exercises are promptly reviewed and fixed. The NRC inspection teams that conduct FOF inspections include active duty U.S. Special Operations Forces. These individuals participate in the inspections by assisting the NRC inspectors in developing the scenarios used to test the facilities, provide expert technical advice to the Composite Adversary Force (CAF), assist the NRC inspectors in evaluating site security forces and systems, and provide an independent evaluation of CAF performance.
CAF
The CAF is evaluated during each exercise using rigorous NRC performance standards issued in April 2004. The standards cover:
The CAF is managed by a company (Wackenhut) that provides security for a number of U.S. nuclear power plants and is, therefore, well-versed in the security operations of power plants. The NRC recognizes that there may be a perception of a conflict of interest where the management company cannot adequately test either the CAF or the plant security force. The NRC requires a clear separation of functions between the CAF and plant security force to ensure an independent, reliable, and credible mock adversary force. In addition, no member of the CAF may participate in an exercise at his or her home site. It is important to emphasize that the NRC, not CAF, designs, runs, and evaluates the results of the FOF exercises. Because the CAF does not establish the exercise objectives, boundaries, or timelines, and because the CAF performance is subject to continual observation by NRC and its contractors, the agency controls the exercise. Should industry be unable to maintain an adequate and objective mock adversary force that meets the standards mandated by the NRC, the NRC will take the necessary actions to ensure the effectiveness of the FOF program.
NRC's Overall Security Program FOF inspections are an essential part of NRC's oversight of plant owners' security programs and their compliance with NRC security requirements. The agency continues to evaluate and strengthen its overall security program in response to changes in the threat environment, technological advancements, and lessons learned. As a result, substantial improvements to nuclear plant security have been made to protect against terrorism and radiological sabotage including:
Together, these efforts help make nuclear power plants among the best protected private sector facilities in the nation. Additional information is available on NRC's Web site at www.nrc.gov/security.html. Other security Fact Sheets include:
August 2008 |
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