Exploring the human dimension of nuclear security: the history, theory, and practice of security culture

• Published in: The Nonproliferation review Vol. 28; no. 4-6; pp. 275 - 295
• Main Authors: Hobbs, Christopher, Moran, Matthew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01.11.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Case studies; Culture; Human security; insider threats; International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Nuclear energy; Nuclear security; nuclear terrorism; physical protection; Research methodology; security culture
• ISSN: 1073-6700; 1746-1766
• DOI: 10.1080/10736700.2020.1811532

Over the past two decades, the international community has devoted considerable attention to the human dimension of nuclear security. This trend is part of a more holistic approach to securing nuclear facilities, grounded in the concept of culture, that moves beyond the traditional focus of physical-protection measures. But what explains this shift and what does it entail? This article begins by demonstrating, through a series of real-life case studies, the potential for human factors to undermine nuclear-security systems. It then considers the rise and consolidation of "culture" as a concept used to better understand and organize international efforts to strengthen nuclear security. Nuclear-security culture is then explored in practice, drawing on a review of relevant initiatives as well as empirical research conducted by the authors at several UK nuclear sites. A number of likely challenges for developing an effective nuclear-security culture at the operational level are discussed, as is the value of the culture-focused guidance developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The article concludes that while nuclear-security culture has been widely promoted at the international level, there exists considerable scope for new initiatives to further strengthen engagement at the working level of industry.