Colombia. The country is preparing to move into a new phase in nuclear risk management and regulation. Bill 466 of 2024, presented in the Senate, suggests the establishment of the National Nuclear Safety Agency (ANSN), an autonomous body responsible for regulating, authorizing, inspecting and supervising the safe use of nuclear energy and radiation sources.
One of the highlights of the articles is the solid focus on physical security and cybersecurity, elements seen as strategic to prevent events such as theft, sabotage, unauthorized entry and cyberattacks aimed at nuclear facilities or critical systems.
"Physical security is defined as the set of measures and actions to protect nuclear and radioactive facilities, materials against deliberate threats such as criminal acts or terrorism," the bill states in Article 37.
This safety regime will apply both to nuclear facilities and to medical, industrial or academic centers that use radioactive sources. Through a licensing and technical supervision system, the owners of these infrastructures will be required to implement physical security plans and safeguarding systems adapted to the degree of risk.
Technology and prevention: the role of integrators in the industry
The proposed law explicitly recognizes the role of technology as a structural pillar of physical security. The project contemplates, for example, the use of intrusion detection systems, remote monitoring, access control, electronic surveillance, physical barriers, traceability of materials and response to events.
It also establishes that cybersecurity will be an integral part of the regulation, in order to minimize risks derived from unauthorized access, computer sabotage or data leaks. This will involve the adoption of digital defense tools and security protocols based on international standards.
"The Agency must establish requirements for the protection of classified, confidential or reserved information, as well as mechanisms that guarantee the integrity, availability and non-repudiation of the data," states Article 5 of the bill.
Real-time surveillance and safety culture
The ANSN in the future may require operators of nuclear facilities to have constant monitoring systems, methods for identifying personnel, systems for automatic incident alerting, and contingency plans. In addition, the establishment of a nuclear safety culture will be encouraged, including ongoing training of personnel and protocols for action in emergency situations.
If a critical circumstance arises, the National Plan for Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies, referred to in Chapter X, will establish institutional functions and obligations, defining response guidelines that include public safety, communication of the danger and urgent technical support.
New opportunities for the sector
This legal framework provides a field of action for providers of solutions in physical and electronic security, industrial cybersecurity and intelligent supervision. In this regulatory framework, integrators with expertise in critical infrastructure will find a new place to implement advanced technologies and specialized services.
In addition, the bill requires that sensitive information be protected under a special regime of restricted access, and that security systems be auditable, resilient and updatable, which enhances the interest in integrated solutions for video surveillance, biometrics, perimeter control, smart sensors and unified management platforms.
Colombia as a regional benchmark
This regulation aims to align Colombia with the international nuclear safety standards promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The establishment of the ANSN and the strengthening of physical and digital control make the country one of the pioneers in the region in establishing a specialized legal framework in comprehensive nuclear and radiological safety.
Legislative development: when this article is concluded, the bill is in the debate phase in Congress. If approved, it will require a restructuring of safety protocols in various sectors that use radioactive sources, and will demand new technical and technological skills from operators and integrators.
