Discussion on Functional Safety and Cyber Security of I&C System in Nuclear Facilities

Abstract The safety of I&C system of nuclear facilities is one of the key points of nuclear safety supervision. Due to the use of proprietary technology and generally not connected with IT systems, traditional I&C system of nuclear facilities mainly focuses on functional safety in design. Relevant standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61511 and IEC 61513 all focus on ensuring functional safety. The extensive use of information technology in nuclear energy field has brought about cyber security threats, and cyber-attacks against nuclear facilities have been reported occasionally. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and nuclear safety regulators around the world have issued laws, regulations and technical standards to strengthen the supervision of cyber security of nuclear facilities. However, how to properly deal with the relationship between functional safety and cyber security has become a hot issue when strengthening the supervision of cyber security of nuclear facilities. Based on the relevant international standards and national practices, this paper further clarifies the relevant concepts, review current construction practices, analyzes and discusses the relationship between functional safety and cyber security. The research lays a foundation for the subsequent establishment of applicable nuclear power cyber security standard system.