NANTeL Security and Access 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'two-person rule' (or two-person integrity) as applied in nuclear facilities?
- A requirement that two security officers patrol together at all times
- A requirement that two appropriately cleared individuals must be present whenever access to certain sensitive areas or materials occurs (Correct answer)
- A rule requiring two signatures on all maintenance work orders
- A requirement for two independent alarms before a response is dispatched
Correct answer: A requirement that two appropriately cleared individuals must be present whenever access to certain sensitive areas or materials occurs
Two-person integrity requires that two authorized, knowledgeable individuals be present simultaneously to prevent any single insider from having undetected access to the most sensitive materials or areas.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of 'defense in depth' in nuclear physical security?
- Training security officers in first aid
- Using multiple, independent security barriers and detection systems so that defeat of one layer does not compromise overall security (Correct answer)
- Installing a single high-quality perimeter fence
- Requiring all employees to wear dosimeters
Correct answer: Using multiple, independent security barriers and detection systems so that defeat of one layer does not compromise overall security
Defense in depth means layering multiple independent security measures so an adversary must defeat each layer successively, reducing the probability of successful unauthorized access.
Question 3: Under the NANTeL security training framework, what does 'behavioral observation' in a security context primarily refer to?
- Monitoring radiation worker behavior to prevent overexposure
- Observing individuals for indicators of potential insider threat, stress, or unusual behavior that may signal a security concern (Correct answer)
- Watching for safety procedure violations during maintenance activities
- Recording employee attendance and punctuality patterns
Correct answer: Observing individuals for indicators of potential insider threat, stress, or unusual behavior that may signal a security concern
Behavioral observation programs train personnel to identify and report anomalous behaviors that may indicate an insider threat or an individual who poses a security risk.
Question 4: A nuclear plant's Owner Controlled Area (OCA) is best described as:
- The area within the protected area fence
- The outermost area on licensee property where the licensee can control access but which has fewer security requirements than the protected area (Correct answer)
- The area immediately surrounding the reactor containment building
- Any area where radioactive material is present
Correct answer: The outermost area on licensee property where the licensee can control access but which has fewer security requirements than the protected area
The Owner Controlled Area is the outermost land under licensee control; while access can be managed, it has fewer mandatory security requirements than the protected or vital areas inside it.
Question 5: What action is required when a nuclear security officer observes a potential security threat that may require armed response?
- Handle the situation independently without notifying others to avoid panic
- Immediately notify the central alarm station and await instructions per the response procedure (Correct answer)
- First consult with a co-worker before taking any action
- Document the observation and report it at the next shift briefing
Correct answer: Immediately notify the central alarm station and await instructions per the response procedure
Immediate notification of the central alarm station is mandatory so that an appropriate, coordinated armed response can be initiated per the facility's response procedures.
Question 6: Which of the following materials requires the most stringent transportation security under NRC regulations?
- Low-level radioactive waste in Type A packages
- Irradiated reactor fuel (spent nuclear fuel) (Correct answer)
- Uranium hexafluoride for enrichment
- Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)
Correct answer: Irradiated reactor fuel (spent nuclear fuel)
Spent nuclear fuel contains Category I quantities of special nuclear material and requires armed escorts, route approval, and continuous tracking under 10 CFR 73 and 73.37.
Question 7: What is the significance of the 'design basis threat' (DBT) in nuclear security planning?
- It defines the maximum credible earthquake for which the plant must be designed
- It characterizes the type, composition, and capabilities of adversaries that security systems must be designed to protect against (Correct answer)
- It specifies the maximum allowed radiation dose to the public
- It describes the worst-case reactor accident scenario
Correct answer: It characterizes the type, composition, and capabilities of adversaries that security systems must be designed to protect against
The DBT, established by the NRC, defines the adversary threat (e.g., number of attackers, weapons, tactics) against which nuclear facilities must be able to defend.
NANTeL Security and Access 3
What is the 'two-person rule' (or two-person integrity) as applied in nuclear facilities?