Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about the establishment, activities and membership of the World Institute for Nuclear Security – WINS
The answers reflect current expectations but WINS will be an independent organization and its Board of Directors and members will be responsible for setting and revising policies. Scroll through the questions and answers or click on a topic to go directly to questions and answers on that topic.
ESTABLISHING WINS
Why is WINS being established?
WINS is being established to provide an international forum for nuclear security professionals to discuss and exchange good security practice and to learn from one another, just as do professionals in many other disciplines and functions. The ultimate objective for WINS is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of security arrangements for nuclear materials through the sharing and promotion of good practices amongst security professionals.
Why form WINS now? What has changed to make it necessary?
In the current atmosphere of heightened concerns over the international terrorist threat, the nuclear industry and governments need to take the opportunity and act now to ensure that the security standards for nuclear facilities and materials are robust and that good security practices are discussed, shared and implemented across the world. In addition, the expected expansion of nuclear power, along with related fuel cycle activities, mean that it is in everyone's interest that this is accomplished. WINS will help achieve these objectives.
Who is going to fund WINS?
Initially, WINS will be funded by donations from NTI, the US Department of Energy and other potential donors. Financial and in-kind support is also being sought from international partners in industry and government who can see the benefits of a WINS organisation and are willing to join the effort as founding organisations. In time, WINS is expected to become largely self sufficient financially through member contributions.
The estimated set up costs in year 1 are approximately 2-3 million Euros. This is a rough number but is based on initial cost estimates for categories such as staffing and benefits, travel, rent and overheads, capital costs, meetings and workshops, legal and accounting services, consultants, communications, and other
miscellaneous costs. Allowing for reasonable growth, the budget in year 5 is likely to approximately 5 million Euros.
When will WINS be established?
WINS will be established as a legal entity (a not-for-profit organisation) during 2008, based in Vienna, Austria.
What principles will govern the formation and management of WINS?
The principles behind the formation and management of WINS will be governed solely by those policies that contribute to the success of WINS and its members. WINS will not be politically biased or become involved in issues of national authority or competence for nuclear security.
Will WINS be an advocacy group for the nuclear industry?
This is not the purpose of WINS and one of the reasons why WINS has been established as a separate legal entity from nuclear-related advocacy organisations. However, WINS supports the responsible use of nuclear energy, subject to it being secure.
How will WINS be structured?
WINS will have a board of directors to provide strategic direction and corporate governance and an Advisory Council to provide specialist support and guidance. WINS will be led by an executive director supported by a small staff chosen for their experience, possibly including seconded staff from member organisations.
ACTIVITIES
What type of activities will WINS undertake?The work programme anticipates that WINS will facilitate workshops, seek new ways of promoting professional standards and meet the needs of its members that benefit from participation. The potential number of member organisations is considerable and WINS is expected to be a dynamic organisation, adjusting to the needs of its members.
Can you give some indication of the subjects that WINS will cover?
This is a matter for its members, but we believe that the following areas will be of broad interest:
- Corporate Governance and Leadership of security at Board level
- Organisational Security Culture
- Performance metrics for security
- Multi-Agency Threat Reduction Analysis (MATRA) as a method of integrating security systems and response
- Exercises and performance testing
- Best security practice from other sectors
- Encouraging members to promote their own areas of excellence
- Operational experience reviews
- Network and Contact lists of world class experts
- The management of security technology
- Using nuclear materials management systems to maximise the benefit to security
What if organisations want to focus on specific areas of interest?
WINS will structure the work programmes according to members' interests so that the most productive use can be made of the members' time. Members will be regularly surveyed to establish their individual needs and work programmes will be designed to be stand alone with their own network of members in order to maintain confidentiality. WINS will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the work programmes to help identify best practices and will publish these with the agreement of the relevant members.
Are members required to share information with WINS?
No, it is entirely up to the member to decide on the level of involvement and the programmes with which it becomes involved.
What will be the criteria of WINS having met its objectives?
WINS will be judged to have succeeded if its members continue to derive benefits and this will be measured and communicated on a regular basis.
How will WINS interact and avoid duplication with the IAEA?
The IAEA's role and position in the multilateral system is well established. For example, in areas such as non-proliferation and the implementation of international conventions on safety and security the IAEA plays a central role. In other areas, it has a more supportive role, working in partnership with other inter-governmental bodies, NGOs and industry groups, such as the OECD/NEA, WANO and WNA, as well as academic institutions and professional societies. It is anticipated that WINS will fall into this latter category and the intention is for WINS to avoid duplication with the IAEA's Security Programme – in fact quite the contrary, WINS will seek ways of supporting and enhancing the IAEA's work wherever possible. Close consultation has taken place with the IAEA during the development of WINS and this constructive relationship will continue.
Security arrangements are confidential – how is it possible to discuss such issues in an international forum? Won't the discussion of security arrangements actually undermine their confidentiality and jeopardise security?
WINS' mission is to promote good security practice and by definition will not take any action that could undermine the security of nuclear material. Participation in WINS is voluntary, and any decisions to share information by members or individuals are expected to be in compliance with their organisations' requirements and governments' regulations. Experience has shown that it is possible to exchange nuclear security best practices while protecting sensitive information. WINS members will be required to comply with WINS confidentiality obligations, as for any other professional organisation that meets to discuss potentially sensitive matters. No information will be published by WINS without the prior agreement of the relevant members. Potential members can address any
concerns by seeking adequate assurances from the policies adopted by the WINS Board of Directors, including the Member's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Will WINS establish computer databases holding sensitive security information? For example, will details of the physical protection arrangements at specific facilities be held on WINS' databases?
The precise arrangements are to be determined, but detailed and sensitive databases are not seen as being the method by which WINS would add most benefit to its members. The emphasis will be on workshops and other events where members can interact and discuss subjects of benefit to them. WINS will explore if the nuclear industry can learn lessons from other industrial and commercial sectors which have a requirement for high security and will identify inspirational leaders in security to provide role models for the profession.
Information held by WINS will be protected in accordance with its own stringent data handling policies and the requirements of members that contribute information to WINS.
Is it proposed that WINS will carry out inspections and peer reviews of national physical protection systems?
WINS is comprised of its members and exists to help benefit its members. If a member wishes to host a technical meeting at its facility, including a peer review or benchmarking exercise, then a member would be free to make such a proposal and seek support from WINS.
Why should organisations share best practices with each other?
Because no organisation has all the best practices and networking is a proven method for organisations to become more effective and efficient; the success of WANO is testament to this.
Is WINS intending to cover all radioactive and nuclear materials, including the security of sealed sources?
WINS will be guided by its members and their priorities but at this time WINS is looking to encourage work programmes that address the security of the most significant nuclear materials and associated facilities.
MEMBERSHIP
What type of organisations do you expect to join WINS? Is it just open to corporate organisations?
WINS expects to attract members from government, industry and related organisations, which have a direct involvement in the security or protection of nuclear materials. Just as WANO has attracted corporate members that have a desire to improve their operational nuclear safety and promote a safety culture, we expect WINS to play a comparable role in the context of improving nuclear security. Effective security arrangements usually depend on the partnership between commercial and government organisations and WINS will work with its members to identify and promote good practice in such partnerships.
Will all members have the same status and rights?
It is unlikely that all members will have the same needs or interests so the intention is for WINS to offer different types of membership, including those for Government-related and corporate organisations. WINS will also ensure that information provided by members is protected in line with their requirements for confidentiality.
Is membership open to companies that supply security-related equipment and technology? Surely those companies have a lot to contribute to the establishment of best practice?
WINS will develop an on-line portal in the member's area of the WINS website for members to access information about the latest security technologies from those companies that wish to be associated with and support WINS. There is no intention to invite vendors to become full members, unless the WINS members decide otherwise at some time in the future.
Is membership open to those organisations that provide armed response arrangements to nuclear facilities, such as police and armed security contractors, and other first responders?
Yes, because effective teamwork between nuclear operators and the relevant organisations that provide armed response arrangements is of central importance to the establishment of good security.
Are national security regulators eligible for membership?
Yes, WINS would wish to encourage dialogue between different stakeholders and anticipates that national regulators would also aspire to this same objective, in the interests of promoting good practice. There may be occasions when industry members (and/or regulators) would wish to discuss particular issues between themselves and this would be accommodated as a particular work stream.
How much will it cost to become a member?
Membership fees will be established during the first two years and come into operation in 2010 after organisations have had an opportunity to determine the benefit of being a member of WINS.
Does WINS accept financial donations?
Yes, in accordance with the policies approved by the WINS Board.
Can individuals join WINS or does it have to be the organisational entity?
WINS is primarily intended for organisations but individual applications for membership will be considered on a case by case basis and membership fees adjusted accordingly. WINS may also choose to invite particular individuals to join WINS on a complementary basis where their involvement would help WINS achieve its objectives.
If the organisation joins, does this mean that all of its staff can participate, as required?
Once an organisation becomes a member, staff participation will be at the discretion of the nominated member of the organisation and will be one of the factors taken into account when setting the membership fees.
How is WINS going to accommodate members who don't speak English as their mother tongue?
This is an important issue, particularly in the context of workshops and the exchange of information and knowledge. WINS will establish if there is a need among its members for best practices to be translated into different languages and how workshop facilitation could help improve communications.
© 2008 Institute of Nuclear Materials Management