Personnel Reliability Programs

Author: Ryan Crow

Overview

The effectiveness of any security system, no matter how technologically advanced, is ultimately determined by the training, reliability and integrity of the individuals who operate it. Within the confines of a national nuclear weapons complex, the potentially catastrophic consequences of disloyalty, exploitation (blackmail) or a violent workplace incident make careful screening of the latter two characteristics imperative. Such vetting must be inclusive in scope. Guards, researchers, technicians, maintenance workers and all others who have access to areas where weapons or special nuclear material (SNM) is stored must be examined and their suitability for duty determined. Personnel reliability programs (PRPs) are designed to prevent the theft, unauthorized or accidental use of nuclear weapons by assessing the loyalty, trustworthiness, and mental stability of personnel with access to nuclear weapons or weapons-usable nuclear material. In the post-September 11th world, such programs must be reevaluated world wide as part of a larger assessment of the threat such materials pose to U.S. national security and in choosing an appropriate American response. For example, there is a strong push to place more guards at U.S and foreign nuclear facilities as a means of countering an attack by well-armed and coordinated outsiders. However, the increased insider threat posed by increasing the number of guards at nuclear facilities is a serious problem, particularly when poor personnel reliability programs are in place (Sagan 2003: 7-8).

This paper provides background information on PRPs in several countries worldwide. The amount and type of available information varies by country with the most data available for U.S. PRPs. In contrast, only limited information is available regarding PRPs in Russia, South Asia and elsewhere. This is partly a reflection of the high level of sophistication and the long history of the U.S.'s PRP programs; less information is available for countries where programs do not exist or are very limited. The lack of data for countries other than the U.S. is also the result of classification efforts and a general lack of research in the area.

More information is available in PDF.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Debi McGhee
Project Performance Corporation
703-748-7000
dmcghee@ppc.com