Sellafield Ltd has improved its cyber security says the nuclear industry watchdog.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation said Sellafield Ltd’s regulatory attention level for cyber security improved after substantial progress was made by the licensee.
The firm was placed into significant enhanced attention for cyber in 2021/22.
The ONR said: “This increased regulatory focus, along with Sellafield’s additional resources and senior leadership now giving cyber security the level of attention and focus it requires, has helped better governance and management practices become embedded in the organisation during the past two years.”
Following work by the firm, it is now at enhanced regulatory attention level.
The watchdog said its specialist inspectors had engaged with Sellafield as it evolved its cyber security strategy and produced an ongoing delivery programme to address identified shortfalls and their root causes.
It said: “This increased regulatory focus, along with Sellafield’s additional resources and senior leadership now giving cyber security the level of attention and focus it requires, has helped better governance and management practices become embedded in the organisation during the past two years.
“Demonstrable evidence has provided ONR with increased confidence that cyber risks are currently being more appropriately managed.”
Sellafield Ltd has appointed a new chief information security officer and the Office for Nuclear Regulation said that had reinforced Sellafield’s strategic direction, ensuring cyber security continued to underpin safe and secure nuclear operations.
Paul Dicks, ONR director of regulation, said: “This move from significantly enhanced to an enhanced regulatory attention level represents positive progress.
“Through our enabling regulatory approach, we have worked with Sellafield and observed notable improvements across their cyber security arrangements.
“Further work is still required by Sellafield before a potential return to a routine regulatory attention level, and we will continue to hold them to account.
“However, we are encouraged by Sellafield’s commitment to addressing the outstanding issues.”
