The SI defines the second based on a property of the cesium atom, and for this reason cesium oscillators are regarded as primary standards for both time interval and frequency. A second is defined as the time interval required for 9 192 631 770 transitions between two energy states of the cesium atom to take place. The atomic definition of the second, together with current technology,allows it to be measured with much smaller uncertainties than any other SI unit.
In fact, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) can currently measure a second with an uncertainty of less than 1 part in 1015, or more than 1 billion (109) times smaller than the uncertainties required for the calibrations described in this guide!