The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has launched a specialized cyber security center to enhance the safety of the UK’s older nuclear sites. Located in Cumbria, the Group Cyberspace Collaboration Centre (GCCC) aims to unite security, digital, and engineering experts to tackle cyber threats and integrate new technologies.
David Peattie, the NDA’s group CEO, emphasized that the GCCC boosts their collective strength in protecting against cyber attacks. “We can defend as one, benefiting the security of all the organizations we serve,” he explained. Peattie noted that they are always on guard and continually invest in technology and expertise to improve their defenses.
Warren Cain from the Office for Nuclear Regulation pointed out the essential need for robust cyber security across all nuclear sites. “Cyber security is a key regulatory priority,” he said, and he welcomed the NDA’s efforts to strengthen its defenses with this new facility.
This initiative comes after Sellafield Ltd, the state-owned operator of a nuclear waste facility under the NDA, pleaded guilty to three criminal charges linked to cyber security lapses. One charge detailed inadequate protection for sensitive nuclear information, while the others involved failing to complete mandatory annual security audits. Risked data included crucial information about hazardous nuclear materials and third-party services.
The GCCC will not only serve as a base for exploring security technologies but will also facilitate cyber operations, exercises, and training. It complements a broader set of digital and security capabilities, including a recently established security operations center. The GCCC will collaborate closely with other units, such as the Cyber Lab at the Energus training center and Sellafield’s Engineering Centre of Excellence.
Additionally, the NDA is partnering with the University of Lancaster, focusing on cyber security and various safety aspects related to nuclear decommissioning. This partnership covers areas like robotics, waste management, and environmental forensics.
The NDA’s mission encompasses cleaning up and securing 17 significant nuclear sites throughout the UK, including Sellafield, Hinkley Point, Harwell, and others. Their work is extensive and long-term, expected to continue well into the future, with a projected completion date as far off as 2333.