Development of a Robust Framework for Security Assessment of Safety-informed Siting Decisions Under Uncertainty

The assessment of security vulnerabilities during the initial phase of locating a nuclear reactor facility involves a process that aims to recognize specific site attributes that could expose the site to potential security risks.Early identification of such features is crucial because they could increase the site's susceptibility to malicious attacks.Any security incident or event could harm life, the environment, or property.Additionally, certain site characteristics, such as its location and the shortest route from first responders, can impact the response to emergencies at the site.Moreover, features such as slope and extreme weather events could influence the efficacy of implemented measures in reducing security risks at the selected site.If an issue with a site's potential risk factor is identified early in a facility's lifetime, then a more cost-efficient plan can be incorporated into the overall site design.However, after a site is chosen and construction commences, any discovery of natural or artificial features that render the site vulnerable to security threats could lead to construction delays and additional expenses in designing and implementing necessary security measures.This paper emphasizes the challenges in the evaluation framework used to assess security risks at potential nuclear reactor sites during the site selection phase.Our research underscores the necessity of establishing a robust framework to assess security vulnerabilities in nuclear facility siting and aims to address these gaps effectively.1.