Collaboration and partnerships are a key parts of the research enterprise, but they can also increase risk. Research security refers to the ability to identify possible risks to a researcher’s work through unwanted access, interference or theft and measures that minimize these risks and protect the inputs, processes and products that are part of scientific research and discovery.
The February 14, 2023 ministerial statement on 'protecting Canada's research' continues to echo through the Canadian university system. Institutions are being asked to ramp up their ability to support faculty members in complying with forthcoming guidelines and changes to criteria for new federal grants. At SFU, as with most research institutions, targeted federal funding is being used to develop this capacity as quickly as we can in order to be ready for the expected changes.
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Research security unit
In response to new federal guidelines SFU is developing a new, integrated unit within Research Operations to manage security issues related to collaborations and partnerships. It will work closely with Information Security Services, as well as SFU's Safety and Risk Services. The new unit will incorporate the following principles:
- Uphold academic freedom
- Maximize access to academic talent across the world
- Uphold the reputation of the university
The tasks of the new unit will develop as the federal security framework matures. At present, its role is to:
- Review all security applications associated with Tri-Agency funding
- Review sponsored research agreements involving foreign partners
- Host workshops and develop training on research security
- Assist faculty with partnership assessments
News and updates
2023 July 7: SFU research security briefing event from CSIS and public Safety Canada. Event details
2023 April: NSERC FAQ on new measures to enhance research security
2023 March 24: Government of Canada ISED National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships - Update of the Risk Assessment Form
2023 February 14: Government of Canada Statement on protecting Canada's research
2021 March: Government of Canada ISED Research Security Policy Statement
Ongoing: Updates to the community from the Vice-President Research and International
Resources
Government of Canada
- Safeguarding your Research
- National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships
- Guidelines on the National Security Review of Investments
- Building Security Awareness in the Academic Community
- National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ Risk Assessment Form
Universities Canada
- 2021 U15 Statement on Protecting Canadian Values and Canadian Research
- 2019 Mitigating Economic and/or Geopolitical Risks in Sensitive Research Projects
CSIS
- CSIS: Primer on Foreign Interference and how it Relates to Academia and Research
- Protect Your Research – Regional Factsheets
- CSIS and Research Security
- CSIS: Research security, protecting Canadian data, science and technology