NANTeL - National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning Nuclear Security and Access Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A contractor requires unescorted access to a nuclear power plant's Protected Area. According to 10 CFR Part 73, which of the following is a primary objective of the access authorization program they must complete?
- To verify they have the technical skills required for their assigned tasks.
- To ensure they are a member of a recognized trade union.
- To provide high assurance that the individual is trustworthy and reliable, and does not pose an unreasonable risk to public health and safety. (Correct answer)
- To confirm they have passed a radiation safety exam within the last calendar year.
Correct answer: To provide high assurance that the individual is trustworthy and reliable, and does not pose an unreasonable risk to public health and safety.
The primary goal of the access authorization program, as defined by the NRC in 10 CFR 73.56, is to establish a high degree of confidence that individuals granted unescorted access are trustworthy and reliable. This is to prevent them from posing an unreasonable risk to public health and safety, including the potential for radiological sabotage. While skills, union status, and safety exams are important, the core purpose of access authorization is security and reliability screening.
Question 2: A security officer observes an unauthorized individual climbing the fence into the Protected Area of a nuclear facility. This event involves a security threat with a potential, but not yet substantial, degradation of plant safety. According to the NRC's Emergency Classification system, what is the MINIMUM classification for this event?
- Notification of Unusual Event
- Site Area Emergency
- General Emergency
- Alert (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Alert
An 'Alert' is the correct classification because it involves a security event that could threaten the site. A 'Notification of Unusual Event' is for situations that could potentially degrade safety but don't involve an active security threat like a breach of the Protected Area. A 'Site Area Emergency' or 'General Emergency' would involve actual or likely major failures of plant functions or loss of physical control, which has not yet occurred in this scenario.
Question 3: Which of the following best distinguishes a 'Vital Area' from a 'Protected Area' within a nuclear power plant?
- The Protected Area is the entire site property, while the Vital Area is where the administrative buildings are located.
- The Protected Area is enclosed by a fence and requires badged access, while a Vital Area is within the Protected Area and contains specific equipment essential to prevent radiological sabotage. (Correct answer)
- Only security personnel are allowed in the Vital Area, whereas all plant workers can access the Protected Area.
- The Protected Area is where radioactive materials are used, and the Vital Area is where they are stored.
Correct answer: The Protected Area is enclosed by a fence and requires badged access, while a Vital Area is within the Protected Area and contains specific equipment essential to prevent radiological sabotage.
Nuclear plants use a graded security approach. The Protected Area is the main fenced and guarded area. Within the Protected Area are Vital Areas, which have additional barriers and access controls because they house equipment or systems vital for the safe shutdown of the reactor or the prevention of radiological sabotage.
Question 4: An employee with unescorted access authorization exhibits a sudden and negative change in behavior, including expressing disregard for safety procedures and unusual interest in security system details. Under an effective Insider Threat Mitigation Program, what is the most appropriate initial action for a coworker to take?
- Confront the individual directly and demand an explanation for their behavior.
- Wait to see if the behavior escalates before taking any action.
- Report the observations to a supervisor or other designated management personnel in accordance with site procedures. (Correct answer)
- Post an anonymous warning on a company bulletin board.
Correct answer: Report the observations to a supervisor or other designated management personnel in accordance with site procedures.
Insider Threat Mitigation Programs rely on all personnel being vigilant. The correct procedure is to report any concerns arising from behavioral observation to the appropriate channels, such as a supervisor or the site's reviewing official. This allows for a formal and confidential assessment of the individual's continued trustworthiness and reliability without escalating the situation directly or ignoring a potential threat.
Question 5: During an in-processing security briefing, a new employee is told about the 'Two-Person Rule'. In which of the following areas would this rule be most strictly enforced?
- Material Access Area (Correct answer)
- Owner Controlled Area
- The plant's main administrative building
- The turbine hall
Correct answer: Material Access Area
The Two-Person Rule is a key security measure, particularly against insider threats, and is most stringently applied in Material Access Areas (MAAs). MAAs are locations that contain special nuclear material requiring protection against theft and diversion. The rule ensures no single individual has unobserved access to these materials.
Question 6: A vehicle is stopped for a routine search upon entering the Owner Controlled Area. The driver, an authorized employee, refuses to allow security personnel to search the vehicle's trunk. What is the most likely consequence of this refusal?
- The vehicle will be allowed entry but will be escorted at all times.
- The driver will be issued a written warning and allowed to proceed.
- The driver will be arrested immediately by local law enforcement.
- Denial of access to the site. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Denial of access to the site.
Gaining access to a nuclear facility is contingent upon compliance with all security rules and procedures. Refusal to comply with a vehicle search is grounds for denial of access. All personnel and vehicles entering the Owner Controlled Area are subject to search as a condition of entry.
NANTeL - National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning Nuclear Security and Access Questions and Answers 1
A contractor requires unescorted access to a nuclear power plant's Protected Area.
According to 10 CFR Part 73, which of the following is a primary objective of the access authorization program they must complete?