Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the threat that terrorism poses to the nuclear industry, so that it can be used to support nuclear establishments in making positive security changes to reduce the potential of our world NF’s being attacked by terrorist organisations. Analysing quantitative and qualitative secondary data, a literature review was conducted to evaluate the vulnerability of the nuclear industry to a terrorist attack and the effectiveness of the physical security measures that are in place across the industry. The literature review began by looking at Hoffman’s 1986 theory on why terrorism posed no tangible threat to the nuclear industry. The research then progressed on to review the literature from Becker (2017), Laughter (2005), Shellenberger (2018) and other academics after the September 11th 2001 attacks on the world trade centre, which propelled the conversation around the threat terrorism poses to NF’s.

This research found that there is little statistical data to examine how much of threat terrorism poses to NF. There have been no significant terrorist attacks on NF’s which have caused mass damage or a nuclear incident and therefore, it is difficult to determine if this is due to existing security measures and mitigation strategies, or if there are just easier targets for terrorists to attack. Whilst physical security measures are in place to detect, deter, delay and deny an attack, it is not possible to evaluate the effectiveness of such measures accurately. This is due to human factors like fear, panic, decision making, speed of attack and attack methods, which are factors that become difficult to simulate accurately through tabletop or force on force exercises. This research has highlighted the vulnerability of the nuclear industry should a successful terrorist attack occur, and the lack of multinational governance needed to effectively manage nuclear security and its resilience.

Course: Risk and Security Management - BSc (Hons) - C1565

Date Deposited: 2021-11-05

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13737.html