Global security is a growing political concern. Advances in cyber technology, increasing numbers of reports of violent fanaticism, and a rise in the prominence of non-state actors, have all contributed to an unsettling of the traditional view of security provision. In parallel, governments have been under pressure following the Global Financial Crisis of 2007/08 to reduce the burdens of their regulatory frameworks, both to reduce public spend, and to allow the grass roots of recovery to take hold. Consequentially, the “Better regulation” movement has challenged regulators to become more efficient and effective. The way nuclear security regulators respond to these challenges will be important for present and future global security, as well as the level of trust held by the public in the nuclear industry.
In this report, Simon Gillett, WINS Certified Nuclear Security Professional working at EDF Energy, United Kingdom, uses established literature to define what “efficient and effective” means for regulators. He also provides an overview of nuclear security and safeguards, and explores the international guidance on national nuclear security and safeguards laws and regulations. The main section of the report continues by discussing four metrics which strongly influence efficiency and effectiveness, concluding that in order to hold industry to account, regulators must: strike a balance in their approach to internal and external relationships; carry out their regulation on a national assessment of threat; and do both of these through an established, agile, framework of law and regulation.
We are very pleased to publish Mr. Gillett’s report on our website and encourage more WINS Members and Alumni to submit their publications. To view or download Mr. Gillett’s publication, please connect to your Members Area and visit the External Publications tab of your Knowledge Centre.
