The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS) formulates and implements the IAEA's nuclear safety and security programme, which encompasses the Agency's activities to protect people and the environment from radiation exposure and responds to the needs of its Member States related to nuclear safety and nuclear security.

The Division of Nuclear Security (NSNS) is responsible for establishing, coordinating and implementing the IAEA's nuclear security programme to protect against, detect and respond to criminal acts or acts of nuclear terrorism and threats thereof. NSNS comprises four Sections:

• Nuclear Security of Materials Outside of Regulatory Control Section
• Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section
• Information Management Section
• Programme Development and International Cooperation Section

The Nuclear Security of Materials Outside of Regulatory Control Section (MORC) is responsible, upon request, to assist States, for activities that assist States in establishing and maintaining nuclear security systems and measures for the prevention and detection of, and response to, nuclear and other radioactive material outside of regulatory control. These activities include developing nuclear security guidance that is consistent with the relevant binding and non-binding international instruments, as well as providing assistance, upon request, to States in implementing the nuclear security framework. In addition to the development of nuclear security guidance, the Section conducts the International Nuclear Security Security Advisory Service (INSServ) and expert missions, upon request, to help States to establish and maintain effective nuclear security regimes, provides training activities, develops methodologies, and assists in security upgrades relating to nuclear and radioactive material detection and response capabilities. The Section implements Coordinated Research Projects and technical meetings in the field of nuclear security of material out of regulatory control, assists Member States in the implementation of nuclear security measures to support Major Public Events, and organizes a large number of evaluation missions, training courses and workshops, and convenes technical meetings for methodology development.

The Crime Scene Management and Nuclear Forensics Unit is responsible for performing activities related to development of States’ Radiological Crime Scene Management capabilities and capacities and the planning and implementation of nuclear forensics capabilities. The Unit supports States’ efforts to establish national nuclear forensics laboratories and develop forensic processes and procedures to support the activities of laboratories. The Unit has responsibility for the development and review of Nuclear Security Series publications dedicated to Radiological Crime Scene Management and Nuclear Forensics and the development and implementation of training activities based on that guidance.