--- title: A Cybersecurity Framework for Nuclear Microreactors description: Cybersecurity framework tailored for nuclear microreactors to enhance protection and minimize risks during the design phase of modular microreactors. --- [![CAnes logo\[96\]](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png?width=300&height=91&name=CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png "CAnes logo[96]")](https://canes.mit.edu/) [![canes](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/canes.png?width=300&height=91&name=canes.png "canes")](https://canes.mit.edu/) [![](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/canes.png?width=500&height=152&name=canes.png)](https://canes.mit.edu/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [the center](https://canes.mit.edu/center) - [science + engineering](https://canes.mit.edu/science-engineering) - [E+ Lab](https://canes.mit.edu/epluslab) - [publications](https://canes.mit.edu/reports) - [events](https://canes.mit.edu/events) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # A Cybersecurity Framework for Nuclear Microreactors by [MIT CANES](https://canes.mit.edu/media/author/mit-canes) | Sep 18, 2024 [PDF Download](https://canes.mit.edu/hubfs/197%20ANP-TR%20CHEW%20Matthew.pdf) Report Date: June 2023 Appendices: No Abstract In the emerging field of modular microreactors (MMR), which have the potential to be deployed in high numbers across all sectors of the economy, very robust cybersecurity measures are necessary to prevent disruption of service and accidents. This study presents a structured, comprehensive, and easy-to-implement cybersecurity framework tailored explicitly for nuclear microreactors, aiming to streamline the identification and protection of high-priority systems and pre-emptively address threats during the project's design phase. The proposed framework offers a strategy that brings all aspects of cybersecurity under a single, coherent plan. This approach allows microreactor developers to highlight network segments and use a risk management matrix to pinpoint high-priority systems at risk and determine necessary protective measures. As an example, applying the proposed methodology, it was found that the sensor zone, being a crucial component of the reactor protection system, could be subject to three critical vectors of attack and would require solutions such as encryption, data diode gateways and supply chain management to ensure a lower cybersecurity risk. Importantly, the framework is designed to be versatile, ensuring its applicability across a range of MMR designs and operational contexts. Program:     ANP : Advanced Nuclear Power Program Type:     TR  RPT. No.: 197 [BACK TO THE CENTER->](https://canes.mit.edu/center) Topics:   [ANP Advanced Nuclear Power Program](https://canes.mit.edu/media/tag/anp-advanced-nuclear-power-program) ,   [Report Downloads](https://canes.mit.edu/media/tag/report-downloads) Recent posts [Nuclear Energy Dominance: Can the US do it Alone?](https://canes.mit.edu/media/energy-dominance-can-the-us-do-it-alone) [Assessment of the Lifecycle Cost of Nuclear Grade Coolants for Advanced Reactors](https://canes.mit.edu/media/assessment-of-the-lifecycle-cost-of-nuclear-grade-coolants) [Bilge Yildiz and Jacopo Buongiorno Take Nuclear-Fueled AI to TEDx](https://canes.mit.edu/media/bilge-yildiz-and-jacopo-buongiorno-take-nuclear-fueled-ai-to-tedx) [Levelized Cost of Fuel (LCOF) Studies for Microreactors Using TRISO Fuel in Hydride and Beryllium-based composite Moderators in Open and Closed Fuel Cycles](https://canes.mit.edu/media/a-preliminary-study-on-the-feasibility-of-nuclear-batteries-for-offshore-power-generation-0) [A Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of Nuclear Batteries for Offshore Power Generation](https://canes.mit.edu/media/a-preliminary-study-on-the-feasibility-of-nuclear-batteries-for-offshore-power-generation) [![CAnes logo\[96\]](https://canes.mit.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png?width=3300&height=1000&name=CAnes%20logo%5B96%5D.png "CAnes logo[96]")](https://canes.mit.edu/) 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 24-215 Cambridge, MA 02139 [canes@mit.edu](mailto:canes@mit.edu) - [ACCESSIBILITY](https://accessibility.mit.edu/) - [MEDIA](https://canes.mit.edu/center-media) - [CENTER](https://canes.mit.edu/center) - [EVENTS](https://canes.mit.edu/events) - [MAP](http://whereis.mit.edu/?go=24) - [MIT CCSE](https://cse.mit.edu/) - [MIT ENERGY INITIATIVE](https://energy.mit.edu/) - [MIT MECHE](http://meche.mit.edu/) - [MIT NRL](http://nrl.mit.edu/) - [MIT NSE](http://web.mit.edu/nse/) - [MIT PSFC](https://www.psfc.mit.edu/) © 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology   |  Privacy Policy