This section contains the definitions of italicized terms used in this publication. The definitions given below may not necessarily conform to definitions adopted elsewhere for international use. Examples have been added to some definitions in order to assist the reader in understanding the definition. When examples are given they are not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the definition in any manner.
associated activity. The possession, production, processing, use, handling, storage, disposal or transport of nuclear material or other radioactive material.
associated facility. A facility (including associated buildings and equipment) in which nuclear material or other radioactive material is produced, processed, used, handled, stored or disposed of and for which an authorization is required.
authorization. The granting by a competent authority of written permission for operation of an associated facility or for carrying out an associated activity, or a document granting such permission.
authorized person. A natural or legal person that has been granted an authorization. An authorized person is often referred to as a ‘licensee’, or ‘operator’.
competent authority. A governmental organization or institution that has been designated by a State to carry out one or more nuclear security functions.
defence in depth. The combination of successive layers of nuclear security systems and nuclear security measures for the protection of targets from nuclear security threats.
graded approach. The application of nuclear security measures proportionate to the potential consequences of criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving or directed at nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities or associated activities or other acts determined by the State to have an adverse impact on nuclear security.
insider. An individual with authorized access to associated facilities or associated activities or to sensitive information or sensitive information assets, who could commit, or facilitate the commission of criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving or directed at nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities or associated activities or other acts determined by the State to have an adverse impact on nuclear security.
major public event. A high profile event that a State has determined to be a potential target.
nuclear facility. A facility (including associated buildings and equipment) in which nuclear material is produced, processed, used, handled, stored or disposed of and for which an authorization or license is required.
nuclear material. Any material that is either special fissionable material or source material as defined in Article XX of the IAEA Statute.
nuclear security culture. The assembly of characteristics, attitudes and behaviours of individuals, organizations and institutions which serve as a means to support, enhance, and sustain nuclear security.
nuclear security event. An event that has potential or actual implications for nuclear security that must be addressed.
nuclear security measures. Measures intended to prevent a nuclear security threat from completing criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving or directed at nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities, or associated activities or to detect or respond to nuclear security events.
nuclear security regime. A regime comprising:
nuclear security system. An integrated set of nuclear security measures.
nuclear security threat. A person or group of persons with motivation, intention and capability to commit criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving or directed at nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities or associated activities or other acts determined by the State to have an adverse impact on nuclear security.
operator. Any person, organization, or government entity licensed or authorized to undertake the operation of an associated facility or to perform an associated activity.
other radioactive material. Any radioactive material that is not nuclear material.
radioactive material. Any material designated in national law, regulation, or by a regulatory body as being subject to regulatory control because of its radioactivity. In the absence of such a designation by a State, radioactive material is any material for which protection is required by the current version of the International Basic Safety Standards1.
regulatory body. One or more authorities designated by the government of a State as having legal authority for conducting the regulatory process, including issuing authorizations.
regulatory control. Any form of institutional control applied to nuclear material or other radioactive material, associated facilities, or associated activities by any competent authority as required by the legislative and regulatory provisions related to safety, security, or safeguards.
sensitive information. Information, in whatever form, including software, the unauthorized disclosure, modification, alteration, destruction, or denial of use of which could compromise nuclear security.
sensitive information assets. Any equipment or components that are used to store, process, control or transmit sensitive information.
strategic location. A location of high security interest in the State which is a potential target for terrorist attacks using nuclear material or other radioactive material, or a location at which nuclear material or other radioactive material that is out of regulatory control is located.
target. Nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities, associated activities, or other locations or objects of potential exploitation by a nuclear security threat, including major public events, strategic locations, sensitive information, and sensitive information assets.