Lancaster University Forms Cyber Partnership with Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to Secure UK’s Aging Civil Nuclear Estate
Lancaster University has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to collaborate on securing the UK’s ageing civil nuclear estate. The partnership will focus on enhancing cyber security measures and protecting critical national infrastructure (CNI). Templar Executives, a cyber services consultancy, will also be involved in the collaboration.
Under the partnership, Lancaster University will expand its existing cyber security and protection sciences capacity and investment. It will align with the NDA on various work areas that will contribute to the future security, growth, and economic well-being of the UK. The collaboration aims to foster knowledge exchange and operational change by leveraging the research and teaching excellence of all three parties.
The MoU will also strengthen the university’s nuclear engineering expertise, including interests in decommissioning, robotics, nuclear fuel cycles, waste management, and safety and regulation. The university’s involvement in the civil nuclear sector will further support the NDA’s mission of decommissioning and cleaning up the UK’s 17 oldest nuclear sites.
David Peattie, CEO of the NDA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and stated that working with academic institutions is crucial for fulfilling their mission and developing subject matter experts. The NDA, a non-departmental public body, was established in 2004 and holds the responsibility of decommissioning and securing the UK’s ageing civil nuclear estate.
The NDA’s sites are spread across the UK, including locations in England, Wales, and Scotland. These sites include nuclear power stations, research centers, and fuel-related facilities. With some of these sites dating back to the late 1940s, the NDA faces the challenging task of cleaning up and making safe these nuclear sites. The process of nuclear clean-up and waste management is estimated to take at least a century, with the goal of achieving an end state by the year 2333.
In addition to their cyber collaboration, the NDA recently showcased various technologies designed to monitor and secure their physical sites. These innovative solutions included an AI camera system, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone, and an aerial robotic device. These technologies aim to enhance security and safety measures at the NDA’s sites.
The partnership between Lancaster University, the NDA, and Templar Executives demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing the challenges associated with securing the UK’s ageing civil nuclear estate. By combining their expertise, research capabilities, and resources, the collaboration will play a vital role in safeguarding the country’s critical national infrastructure and facilitating the clean-up of nuclear sites.
