Enhancing the Use of Multimedia Information for IAEA Safeguards Analysis

摘要

Open source information is one of the key information streams that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) uses for safeguards state evaluation and the planning of safeguards activities. For states with few or no nuclear activities, where state-declared data or safeguards field activities are scarce, open source information is often the main or even only source of safeguards-relevant data. More and more open source information is available in non-text, multimedia formats (photographs, video, audio, illustrations, computer-generated imagery, site and facility diagrams, process flowsheets, etc.). For example, video recordings of government officials' or journalists' visits to nuclear sites or other locations of interest may contain information that is highly relevant to safeguards. This type of data is valuable because it can contain indicators of potential undeclared activities. Additionally, it can complement and enhance analysis of other information types (notably satellite imagery) of declared sites and locations. It can also be used to prepare inspectors for field activities. Locating, collecting and processing multimedia data presents a unique set of challenges compared to traditionally text-based open source data. Relevant methodologies, procedures and tools for effective use of multimedia in nonproliferation and safeguards analysis are still in development. To that end, this paper will first discuss how relevant multimedia data can be used in the IAEA Department of Safeguards for state evaluation and the planning of safeguards implementation activities. It will then examine the Department's existing capabilities to collect and process safeguards-relevant data in non-textual formats. Finally, the paper will present some initial findings of a survey of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and services that could address the needs of safeguards analysts and potentially enhance their capabilities to work with multimedia information during the state evaluation process and safeguards implementation activities.