February 27, 2026
Jerry Sergei Davydov, CNS Non-Resident Fellow
Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, CBRN Security Program Director
From 5-9 January 2026, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), in cooperation with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hosted a pilot course on radiological security for 26 graduate students and early- to mid-career professionals at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Course participants hailed from US universities, national laboratories, law enforcement agencies, research institutions, and government agencies.
Course Participants
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy / National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS), and taught by experts from CNS, PNNL, Y-12, the course reinforced broader U.S. Government efforts to strengthen U.S. national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to the malicious use of radioactive materials.
Radiological security remains a persistent global challenge. Radioactive materials are widely used for peaceful purposes in medicine, industry, agriculture, and energy, yet gaps in regulation, security culture, and technical capacity create opportunities for loss, theft, or malicious use by non-state actors. The course was designed to address these risks by bridging technical, policy, and operational perspectives, while also contributing to workforce development in a field where sustained expertise is critical.
“This course was designed to equip emerging professionals with the practical perspective needed to contribute meaningfully to risk reduction efforts in their careers,” said Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, CNS CBRN Security Director and Course Organizer.
From Fundamentals to Applied Practice
The course began with a grounding in radiation fundamentals and the critical distinction between radiation safety and security. This foundation enabled participants from diverse backgrounds to engage with real-world challenges, examining how radioactive materials are used peacefully and where security risks emerge when sources fall out of regulatory control. Discussion on orphan and legacy radioactive sources, transportation vulnerabilities, and international source categorization frameworks emphasized practical, risk-informed approaches to securing radioactive materials under realistic operational conditions.
Drawing on case studies involving accidents, illicit trafficking, and attempted malicious use, participants explored the operational challenges posed by radioactive material out of regulatory control. Sessions on threat assessment addressed both external and insider threats, emphasizing adversary motivations, capabilities, and tactics. Participants considered how threat assessments inform regulatory requirements and the design of physical protection systems and examined why effective radiological security depends not only on technical measures, but also on sound management practices and a robust security culture.
Recognizing the international nature of radiological risks, the course emphasized international legal and regulatory frameworks, including key International Atomic Energy Agency guidance. Discussion focused on the challenge of turning policy and regulations into practice, and the need for sustained national and international cooperation between all actors involved in radiological security. Later sessions addressed emerging security challenges—from physical protection and transport to cyber risks—and included a dedicated session on career pathways to meet growing radiological security demands.
Applying Concepts Through Scenario-Based Exercises
A multi-day tabletop exercise served core component of the course, allowing participants to apply course concepts in a realistic operational context. The scenario involved a security incident with material out of regulatory control and guided participants through successive phases of an incident, including interception and interdiction, investigation, material disposition, and prosecution.
By combining fundamentals with scenario-based exercises, the course allowed participants to move beyond theory and engage with the kinds of decisions they may face in operational environments. Radiological security functions as an integrated system—technical measures, people, and processes all matter. The scenario-based exercise helped participants see how those elements work together in practice.
Through facilitated discussion, participants examined legal authorities, interagency coordination, and communication requirements, reinforcing the complexity of real-world radiological incidents and the need for coordination across agencies and jurisdictions prior to incidents.
Next Generation Practitioners
A dedicated focus on career development was integrated throughout the course, reflecting the growing demand for radiological security expertise across government, national laboratories, international organizations, and industry. Participants engaged directly with practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds, gaining insight into how technical, policy, and operational skills are applied in real-world radiological security roles. Informal networking, facilitated discussions, and a dedicated career session, helped participants better understand potential career pathways and entry points into the field, reinforcing workforce development at the core of sustained radiological security capacity.
Investing in Durable Radiological Security
As a pilot initiative, the course demonstrated how targeted, intensive training can complement existing U.S. national capacity-building efforts. By aligning technical instruction with current U.S. threat reduction priorities and engagement strategies, the program illustrated the value of investing in people as a core component of durable radiological security.
Radiological security rarely receives the attention afforded to nuclear weapons or power reactors, yet the risks associated with radioactive sources are immediate and global. CNS training programs are designed to connect policy, technical expertise, and real-world practice. By working closely with U.S. government and laboratory partners, CNS ensures that emerging professionals are ready to contribute to radiological security efforts from their first day as working professionals.
Programs such as this course play a critical role in translating high-level commitments into practical expertise and ensuring that the next generation of professionals is prepared to address evolving radiological security challenges.
