Between 19-23 June 2023, WINS took part in the IAEA’s International Conference on Computer Security in the Nuclear World held in Vienna. The aim of the conference was to understand the effective security measures against cyber attacks on facilities that are responsible for the security of nuclear or other radioactive material.
During the opening session of the conference, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, “Our topic today is of the utmost importance; nuclear activities are growing everywhere in the world and the challenges posed by the malicious use of digital tools is real and is growing.”
The conference attracted more than 500 participants from 94 countries, as well as seven international organisations. WINS was one of those organisations with its booth set up during the conference week and experts from WINS participating in panel discussions and side events.
Here are a few highlights of WINS during the IAEA conference:
Conference Participants Visit the WINS Booth
Several participants of the conference paid a visit to the WINS booth, which featured a screen with interviews of female cybersecurity experts who had attended a WINS course. WINS offers a specialisation for cybersecurity in the nuclear industry in both English and Spanish.
The WINS booth also received another visitor: Saana Alvira, Intern at the IAEA in the Department of Safeguards and WINS Alumni, stopped by the WINS booth to share her WINS experience.
“The Foundation Module was very helpful for me to understand a lot of the technicalities as it was geared toward someone who could understand it in a very easy and comprehensive language,” she said.
Rhonda Evans Speaks on Panel at Human Resources Contribution to Computer Security
WINS’ Rhonda Evans, Head of Programme Development, spoke about how gender equality, diversity and inclusion support cybersecurity risk reduction at the technical session. She highlighted the increased risk of cyberattacks on nuclear facilities globally and the need to have a more diverse workforce in reducing those risks, including specific actions to take in multiple areas of an organisation.
Ms Evans also spoke at the IAEA’s Women in Nuclear Security Initiative side event, which discussed initiatives that support gender equality in nuclear security. She spoke about the activities of the WINS Gender Programme, including publishing a Self-Assessment Tool for organisations in advancing gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Alvaro Acevedo Hosts Networking Event for Young Professionals in Nuclear Security
In coordination with the United Nations Nuclear Young Generation (UN-NYG), WINS’ Alvaro Acevedo, Programme Manager at WINS, held a side networking event for young professionals in the nuclear sector. He explained the significance of building a network of professionals from the younger generation in the nuclear industry – particularly nuclear cybersecurity – to further enhance security.
Recently, WINS has ramped up its activities in this area and held a webinar earlier this year in February on sustaining the next generation of nuclear security professionals. In 2022, WINS also published a report on Facilitating the Engagement of Young Professionals in Nuclear Security that sets the foundation for the WINS Young Professionals Programme.
