British authorities underestimate the risk posed by malicious cyber-attacks, spy drones and data breaches to UK nuclear facilities and systems of transit, expert analysis suggests. A hard-hitting briefing, published by the Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) on Sunday, outlined key security concerns relating to UK nuclear policy. Risks flagged in the report include inside attacks on nuclear sites, the loss or theft of sensitive data relating to nuclear plants, cyber-attacks on nuclear facilities, malicious targeting of nuclear material in transit and the use of drones for adversarial means. The research was carried out by the NFLA and Dr. David Lowry, a senior research fellow with the Institute for Resource and Security Studies in Cambridge, USA. It was dispatched to government officials, local authorities, nuclear regulatory agencies, British emergency services and the broader nuclear sector for review.
Russia Today 1st June 2016 read more »
Express 31st May 2016 read more »
UK authorities are underestimating the risks of devastating terrorist attacks on nuclear plants and shipments of radioactive material, according to an expert report. A new analysis for the 40-strong group of Nuclear-Free Local Authorities (NFLA) highlights the vulnerability of Scottish nuclear facilities at Hunterston, Torness and Dounreay to mass drone strikes, sophisticated cyber attacks and terrorist infiltrators. Regular transports of nuclear materials by road, rail, sea and air are also potential targets, the report warns. Governments and regulatory agencies are struggling to keep up with evolving threats, it says, and demands urgent action from ministers.
Ferret 31st May 2016 read more »
The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) publishes today a carefully researched and considered analysis of the UK and international nuclear security and concludes that authorities may be underestimating the scale of the threat to nuclear facilities and transports. It calls for urgent consideration by government, nuclear regulators and the nuclear industry to some of the concerns that emerge from the report.
NFLA Press Release 29th May 2016 read more »