OTA 301 Systems Overview

Operational Technology Assurance (OTA) 301 is an intensive, 3.5-day experience that puts you in the assessor's seat as you apply the OTA Guidebook process to evaluate mission-critical systems for a fictional nuclear vitrification facility. Successful completion of the course will take you through one of five available facility systems.

Access Control System (ACS)

The Access Control System team is responsible for overall security of the plant, including vital areas, owner-controlled buildings, and the entire Vitricity Nuclear Corporation (VNC) footprint. Assessors of this system will review building access systems and protocols including badging, physical access controls, intrusion mitigation, and overall facility security. This system is vital to ongoing plant operations, as any breach of security can pose life-critical risks to the constant production of vitrified nuclear waste.

Additive Manufacturing

The “AdMan” team is responsible for the creation and quality control of mission-critical custom parts that are vital to Vitricity Nuclear Corporation (VNC)’s mission. Assessors of this system will review 3D-printing operations and protocols, ensuring continued production of the vital parts needed to sustain plant operations. This system is vital to VNC operations as onsite production of vital plant parts can introduce potential vectors for operational technology compromise, including subversion and sabotage.

Chemistry & Melter

The “ChemMelt” team is responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted flow of glass-forming materials and non-stop operation of the heart of the Vitricity facility, the vitrification  (link: https://www.hanfordvitplant.com/vitrification-101) melter. Assessors will review industrial technology applications, human-machine interfaces, and the ancillary processes and procedures for ensuring the constant production of vitrified nuclear waste. This system encompasses everything from the chemicals needed to create vitrified glass to the containers used for long-term storage, and everything in between.

Radiation Monitoring

The “RadMon” team is responsible for ensuring containment of radioactive materials for VNC. Assessors for this system will evaluate one of approximately 30 radiation detectors that are placed throughout the facility, including hardware, software, and service logistics. This system is vital to VNC operations as it ensures worker and environmental safety, providing an early warning system in the event of inadvertent radiological release.

Power Distribution System

The “Power” team is responsible for ensuring the constant supply of electrical power to vital plant systems. Assessors for this system will evaluate every element of the power delivery system and subsystems, from the national grid of Guathua to the buildings that provide vital services for the ongoing production of vitrified glass.

OTA System Assignments

Attendees of OTA 301 are randomly assigned an available system on Day One and will remain with that system throughout the duration of the course. Attendees will work with system owners and subject matter experts to conduct an OTA assessment. Each team will report their findings at the conclusion of OTA 301, sharing what they have discovered with the rest of the class.