Episode description

In this episode, Frank Cilluffo interviews Dr. Marion Messmer, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, about the policy institute’s recent report on cybersecurity in the civil nuclear sector. They discuss the evolving threats to nuclear infrastructure, the impact of emerging technologies like small modular reactors, and the challenges of international legal frameworks. Dr. Messmer also highlights the importance of integrating cybersecurity into nuclear systems from the beginning.

Main Topics Covered:

• Key threats to nuclear infrastructure in peacetime and conflict.
• Notable cyberattacks on nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure.
• Cybersecurity challenges posed by new technologies like small modular reactors.
• The role of public-private partnerships and international law in improving cybersecurity.

Key Quotes: 

“There has been a rise of cybercriminals that like to target specifically critical national infrastructure, which nuclear power is for a lot of countries.” – Dr. Marion Messmer

“I think while we have got a lot better at thinking of the purposeful kinds of risks of something that we're not always thinking through, is where the inadvertent vulnerabilities might be coming from and how you can also protect from those kind of attacks.” – Dr. Marion Messmer

“I think that there is a risk here that specifically the cybersecurity side of things might not get enough attention because we've got a lot of regulation when it comes to the actual nuclear materials, but significantly less when it comes to the cybersecurity aspect.” – Dr. Marion Messmer

“Nuclear is almost treated in its own silo, which has great advantages, but it also misses out on opportunities and being part of the broader ecosystem in terms of awareness and partnerships” – Frank Cilluffo

“So much of the international system only works when you've got a consensus around it. And what we are unfortunately seeing at the moment is that consensus is breaking up or at the very least weakening quite significantly.” – Dr. Marion Messmer

Relevant Links and Resources:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/07/cybersecurity-civil-nuclear-sector

https://www.iaea.org/topics/computer-and-information-security

Guest Bio: Dr. Marion Messmer is a Senior Research Fellow in the International Security Programme at Chatham House. She specializes in arms control, nuclear weapons policy, and Russia-NATO relations. Before joining Chatham House, Dr. Messmer served as Co-Director of BASIC (British American Security Information Council), where she led initiatives focused on nuclear risk reduction and disarmament.