Managing security risks to the nuclear fuel cycle: current knowledge and challenges ahead

Since the terror attacks on 11 September 2001 in the USA, the world has suffered 11 major terror attacks with suspected links to al-Qaeda, resulting in over 1045 dead and about 6000 persons injured. These attacks were targeted against nightclubs, tourist hotels, social clubs, luxury apartments, mosques, UN and Red Cross Headquarters abroad, a military compound, banks, offices of political parties, commuter trains and public transport (Steinhausler, 2005). In this period no serious terrorist attack has been carried out against a nuclear power plant or other component of the nuclear fuel cycle. However, this should not lead to a false sense of security. Dr El Baradei from the IAEA warned within days of the 9/11 attacks that from now on nuclear installations need to review their security procedures.