US, European Union Confirm Commitment to Protecting Radioactive Sources From Terrorists

A joint statement from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and the European Commission highlighted the importance of securing radioactive sources to prevent them from falling into the hands of bad actors. 

The “Joint Statement on Enhancing Radioactive Source Security” aims to achieve the goal by building upon existing programs in the United States and the European Union to improve security measures for radioactive materials. It also emphasizes the need to prioritize the security of common targets, including hospitals and research laboratories, where it would be easy to acquire radioactive materials, the DOE said.

The joint statement with the EC is not the first time the U.S. government has recognized the importance of securing radioactive materials. In the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, a group of bipartisan lawmakers led by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., inserted a provision that would create a working group within the Department of Defense focused on identifying cybersecurity gaps within the country’s nuclear systems.