The nuclear sector operates under some of the most stringent security, safety, and regulatory requirements of any industry. From power generation facilities to nuclear defence programmes and advanced reactor development, Public Key Infrastructure provides the cryptographic foundation for secure operations, regulatory compliance, and protection of critical national infrastructure.

At Unsung, we deliver PKI solutions that enable nuclear organisations to maintain the highest standards of security and assurance across operational technology, enterprise systems, and safety-critical environments.

Securing Nuclear Operations Through PKI

Nuclear facilities depend on secure, auditable, and resilient digital infrastructure to protect against both cyber threats and operational risk. PKI enables:

Critical Infrastructure Protection – Certificate-based authentication and encryption secure access to industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA networks, and distributed control systems (DCS) that monitor and manage reactor operations, fuel handling, and safety systems.

Identity & Access Management – Multi-factor authentication using PKI certificates ensures only authorised personnel can access safety-critical systems, control rooms, and secure areas. Certificate-based smart card logon provides non-repudiation and audit trails essential for regulatory oversight.

Secure Remote Access – Engineers, contractors, and remote monitoring teams require encrypted VPN access to operational networks. PKI provides the cryptographic trust layer for secure remote connectivity without compromising air-gapped or segmented network architectures.

Supply Chain & Vendor Security – Nuclear projects involve complex supply chains and third-party vendors requiring access to design data, engineering systems, and project networks. PKI enables secure collaboration while maintaining strict boundary controls and identity verification.

Document Signing & Data Integrity – Regulatory submissions, safety case documentation, and engineering drawings require cryptographic signatures to ensure authenticity and detect tampering. PKI supports electronic document workflows with legally binding digital signatures.

Addressing Nuclear Sector Challenges

The nuclear industry faces unique security and compliance challenges that demand specialised PKI expertise:

• Regulatory compliance including ONR (Office for Nuclear Regulation) guidance, NIS Regulations, and Cyber Essentials Plus requirements
• Long operational lifecycles requiring cryptographic systems that remain secure and maintainable for decades
• Safety-critical environments where system availability and integrity directly impact operational safety
• Segmented network architectures including air-gapped systems, demilitarised zones, and classified networks
• International collaboration across nuclear research, decommissioning programmes, and advanced reactor consortia

Unsung's approach combines deep PKI technical capability with an understanding of nuclear sector governance, safety culture, and the operational constraints of highly regulated environments.

Our Nuclear PKI Capabilities

Operational Technology (OT) PKI – We design certificate infrastructures specifically for industrial control environments, accounting for legacy system constraints, network segmentation, vendor interoperability, and the unique lifecycle requirements of nuclear plant systems.

High Assurance PKI Architecture – Our designs incorporate hardware security modules (HSMs), offline root CAs, and defence-in-depth principles aligned with protective security requirements and critical infrastructure frameworks.

Regulatory Compliance Support – We develop Certificate Policies and Certificate Practice Statements that demonstrate compliance with sector-specific regulations, providing the governance documentation required for regulatory approval and audit.

Certificate Lifecycle Automation – Nuclear environments often involve thousands of certificates across diverse systems and vendors. We implement automated lifecycle management platforms that reduce operational overhead while maintaining strict governance and audit controls.

PKI Integration Services – We integrate PKI with existing ITSM platforms, identity management systems, and operational monitoring tools, ensuring certificate operations align with established change management and incident response processes.

Cryptographic Modernisation – As nuclear facilities undergo digital transformation or plant life extension programmes, we provide strategic guidance on migrating legacy authentication systems to modern PKI platforms, including post-quantum readiness assessments.

Why Unsung for Nuclear PKI?

Unsung brings vendor-neutral expertise and a proven track record of delivering PKI solutions in highly regulated, safety-critical industries. Our consultants are security cleared and experienced in working within environments where security, safety, and regulatory compliance are paramount.

We deliver:

• Sector-aligned expertise understanding the intersection of cyber security, nuclear safety, and regulatory requirements
• Flexible engagement models from strategic advisory and design authority through to full managed services
• Risk-based approach ensuring PKI implementations are proportionate, pragmatic, and aligned with operational risk appetite
• Long-term partnership providing ongoing support, continuous improvement, and adaptation to evolving threats and standards

Whether implementing PKI for a new build reactor programme, securing OT networks at an operating facility, or modernising legacy authentication infrastructure, Unsung provides the specialist knowledge and delivery capability that the nuclear sector demands.

Clients We Have Worked With

We are proud to work with clients including Rolls-Royce SMR, delivering PKI solutions that support the next generation of nuclear technology.

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Our Recent Projects

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• PKI Architecture and Implementation for Advanced Nuclear Programme – Design and deployment of certificate infrastructure supporting secure engineering collaboration and operational technology security
• Critical Infrastructure PKI Health Check – Assessment of existing certificate environments across nuclear facilities, providing risk-based recommendations for compliance and resilience improvement

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