Press Release: Private Sector

The Private Sector of the Nuclear Council was very pleased with the progress we saw in committee last week. While the nuclear safety committee was not able to pass a resolution, the newly proposed resolution was a much more comprehensive and encompassing solution that we believe we can incorporate into our current business strategies to create a much safer nuclear industry. We agree with the emphasis on long-term solutions in any resolution as we believe the nuclear industry is already well-equipped to deal with crisis situations. We have many safety regulations in place at the moment that have been proven to prevent much of the damage done by plants that malfunction and we are continuing to research new safety methods every day.

Although the Cyber Security Council has not been able to come to a consensus on a single resolution, the Private Sector believes the committee is on the right path. Within this past week there have been several resolutions presented, all of which have been declined. One of these resolutions included producing a third party run council, to help unify Cyber Security without the ties or concerns of a state’s international relations policies. The Private Sector believes to be the ideal third party organization, with the funds to accomplish such, and the resources to ensure progress; it would only be wise to allow the Private Sector influence on the dealings of Cyber Security. We would strongly suggest that the council amend this resolution, and present it within the next committee meeting, so that there might be a consensus on a means of resolving the world’s current issues.

Press Release: Private Sector

The Business Coalition of the private sector has thoroughly enjoyed speaking with many of the nations present about their views on the current state of nuclear safety and security.  We are very glad to hear that the nations of this body are in support of nuclear energy and are embracing it as a viable source of energy and electricity. We would like to advise this committee to speak openly with the private sector on all issues related to nuclear safety and cyber security, as any resolution passed through the Security Council will need to then be carried out by the private sector. While we are not a voting member of this committee we strongly believe that our opinions and input are valid and we would like to hear each of your opinions throughout the committee session.

We have heard a lot of talk about regional bodies and regional sectors that would regulate nuclear safety to their needs, and we have a few concerns about this approach. First of all, the nuclear and cyber security industries are global industries and important parts of the international economic structure. We provide nuclear power plants and internet services for nations all over the world, and it would make our job much more difficult if we have to comply with different rules and regulations for each country in which we operate. There should be an international and mutually beneficial standard for operation, for both the nuclear industry and the internet/computer industry; which are both becoming increasingly important in the international arena. The Nuclear industry is expanding to provide cleaner, more efficient energy to many countries, and the world is ever more connected and thanks to the internet industry. We would like to strongly suggest that this body more towards a more collaborative resolution that will be able to aid all nations in their nuclear energy production and protection against cyber-attacks instead of
separating this industry into regional committees.

The Private Sector would then recommend that this coming resolution would create high standards for nuclear power plan, and allow the internet industry to collaborate with countries to create individualized plans for protection. Many nuclear plants are in dire need of repair or replacement, and many countries need to increase their levels of internet security. We believe that these are very pressing issues. Nations with nuclear generators that are past their expiration date are far more dangerous to the people who live near these plants and we should focus on solving problems that already exist instead of spending time creating new committees to oversee our profession. Countries in danger of attack are vulnerable to both security and economic attacks. We are highly capable of ensuring that our nuclear facilities are safe, and improving internet and network safety, and we would like all nations to work with us instead of trying to shut us out completely.

Private Sector Statement

With the recent cyber-attacks on Pakistan, Australia, Germany and South Africa, it has become evident that the current level of cyber security in many countries is no longer sufficient. The development of technology, and the interconnectedness and integration of the internet into the infrastructures of many countries' governments and economies, has made it necessary to protect against foreign cyber attacks, which can come at any time, and without warning.
As the private sector, we represent the companies that fund the global economy: companies like Google, Facebook, Yahoo!, etc. We do not produce the products that protect you, we are customers at the mercy of cyber attacks as well. We represent the new technological society that has emerged, which many of you depend on.
The private sector recognizes the need for more protection, having been victim of many attacks as well. The corporations understand the need to protect vital information that is held on computers. This does not mean, however, that it is necessary to limit or monitor internet access. Access to the internet, and the global community that it has created, is a right that should not be denied to anyone. Also, the tracking of internet access is a violation of privacy, which no citizen of the free world should be subject to.
Instead, we propose that countries in danger improve their security systems. There are plenty of ways to block such attacks: improved firewalls, improved anti-virus and anti-spyware software, networks with enhanced privacy that use direct lines instead of wi-fi, round-the-clock technology support that monitors the network to make sure it is not attacked, and overall improved security measures. Limiting or decreasing the amount of technology or internet access is not the answer. Instead, organizations that need protection should do exactly that: get more protection.
There is an entire industry that is constantly searching for new ways to protect users of the internet, to keep things which are meant to be private just that: private. Many countries already depend on that industry to protect the information they store on the internet, the private sector included. There is immediate relief available for those willing to seek it out.
It is not necessary to restrict or monitor the internet. There are solutions that already exist, and more on the way. Protect yourselves. You already have what you need.

Private Sector- Press Release

Nuclear power is a vital component of the global community's current and future energy needs, hence the interests of the nuclear power industry cannot be ignored. The recent cyberattacks on nuclear power plants in Pakistan, Australia, Germany and South Africa are thus extremely troubling from a business point of view as well as a national security perspective. These attacks have caused near-meltdowns of the nuclear reactors in many countries which are not only dangerous to the environment but are also detrimental to the financial stability of the nuclear energy companies. The damage to the nuclear plants from the attacks causes the nuclear businesses to lose a great deal of money which in turn damages the global economy. It is therefore important to keep in mind the financial and corporate interests of the businesses. Along with the damage to the machinery of the nuclear reactors, it is important to work in conjunction with cybersecurity forces to ensure that nuclear companies are protected. It is also a worthy investment to secure the nuclear facilities in other countries who hold nuclear power plants such as France because they could also potentially be targeted. During the Security Council's meetings, it will be vital for the business coalition to remind the body of the financial responsibility invested in the nuclear companies and the need to secure the nuclear power plants. Long terms solutions should include alternate ways of securing power plants so that they are not in danger of attack by cyber-terrorists and this can be done through a re-evaluation of their capabilities.

The primary goal of the coalition will thus be to restore the function of the nuclear power plants that have been attacked and then focus on making up for the losses. Time is money and it is vital to secure the nuclear power plants for the future. Representatives from each of the major power plants in different countries should meet together to address the nature of the attacks. By discussing the similarities and differences between the attacks in the four countries, a draft can be formed in which to better address the security aspect of the attacks. Furthermore, financial experts should be brought in to assess the losses from the attacks. As a business coalition, the individual nation states should remember that a large part of their economy's revenue comes from the nuclear energy business. Especially in countries such as France and the nations attacked. A great fear of the nuclear energy businesses is that nations will cut back on investments in nuclear energy. It is the business coalition’s job to remind the countries of their financial position and the losses they are set to face if they do not take action in securing the nuclear power plants for the future. Since the business coalition does not have voting power in the Security Council, it will be vital for the coalition to meet with a nuclear energy representative from each of the attacked countries and other countries with a large investment in nuclear energy. The business coalition will also work in conjunction with the media to release press statements monitoring the progress of the power plants. Nuclear energy is an important facet to the future and it must be protected in terms of business pursuits. As steps are taken to secure the power plants, it will also be beneficial for the nuclear business coalition to meet with the cyber-security coalition to discuss ways to work in tandem regarding policy matters. Through effective short term solutions such as increasing security around the power plants and updating the current system technology and long terms solutions such as strengthening the materials used for nuclear receptors through research and configuring the controls for the reactors through more secure means, the issue at hand will be effectively resolved. Nuclear energy is undoubtedly a worthy investment and just requires the proper security and systems to maintain its benefits; a position held by the business coalition. As a collective representation of the Nuclear Business sector, the private sector believes that nuclear security is of the utmost importance however, the maintenance of business interests should also be considered.