This chapter describes an element base of new generation for NPP I&C, namely field programmable gate array (FPGA), and peculiarities of the FPGA application for designing safety critical systems. FPGA chips are modern complex electronic components that have been applied in nuclear power plants (NPPs) instrumentation and control systems (I&CSs) during the last 15-17 years. The advantages and some risks caused by application of the FPGA technology are analyzed. Safety assessment techniques of FPGA-based I&CSs and experience of their creation are described. The FPGA-based platform RadICS and its application for development of NPP I&CS is described.

The article considers the problem of building a multi-agent system for solving information security problems of automated process control systems. The architecture of an intelligent agent is proposed and studied, the features of which are the presence of a set of models used both for assessing the security of a certain node of the security object – an automated system, and for making decisions aimed at increasing the level of security. The results obtained in the course of research improve both the scientific and methodological apparatus for integrating methods of multi-agent technologies, and expand the areas of its practical application.