nuclearcontrol

Nuclear control is the set of legal, technical, institutional and operational measures used to manage, regulate and secure nuclear materials, facilities and weapons. The term covers distinct but related domains including military command and control of nuclear forces, civilian nuclear safety and regulation, nonproliferation and arms-control regimes, and physical and digital security measures that prevent unauthorized access or use.

In military contexts, nuclear command and control refers to the authorities, communications, procedures and safeguards governing the employment of nuclear weapons. These arrangements are designed to ensure civilian oversight, decision authority, secure communications and measures to prevent accidental or unauthorized launches, while enabling deterrent posture and crisis management.

In the civilian sphere, nuclear control encompasses regulatory oversight of reactors, fuel cycle facilities and radioactive sources to protect public health and the environment. Technical controls include safety systems, containment, monitoring, and emergency planning; institutional controls include licensing, inspections and legal frameworks enforced by national regulators and international bodies.

International nuclear control is supported by treaties and organizations aimed at limiting proliferation, verifying compliance and promoting peaceful uses. Key elements include nonproliferation treaties, safeguards, export controls and cooperative security initiatives. Contemporary challenges include cybersecurity of digital control systems, illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and adapting verification to new technologies.