Coordinating the Detection Architecture

Working in close cooperation with its nuclear security stakeholders, the Department of Homeland Security has developed the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA).

The GNDA is a comprehensive, layered defense-in-depth system that includes a worldwide network of sensors, telecommunications, and personnel with the supporting information exchanges, programs, and protocols. Collectively, these capabilities detect, analyze, and report on nuclear and radiological materials that are out of regulatory control.

The GNDA strategy is fundamental to the nation’s efforts to define operational concepts and requirements, prioritize nuclear security efforts across mission areas and inform the development of solutions to implement a more robust architecture.

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) serves as the Department’s lead for this endeavor by overseeing efforts to develop and revise the applicable strategies and operational plans needed to secure our nation and prevent a nuclear terrorist attack from happening. DNDO coordinates these planning and implementation efforts with international, federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners.

• DNDO Director Warren Stern's testimony before Congress on efforts to prevent nuclear and radiological terrorism (July 26, 2011)