July 2, 2021
Research Security and Collaboration
Espionage and foreign interference activities by both human and cyber actors pose real threats to:
- research integrity
- intellectual property
- business interests
All Canadian research organizations have a role to play in safeguarding their valuable research.
The research community values its open and collaborative environment, which promotes creativity and innovation. This open and collaborative environment also makes an attractive target.
On March 24, 2021, the Government of Canada announced new steps in safeguarding research. These steps will help protect Canada's investments in science and research. The Ministers of Health, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Innovation, Science and Industry released a joint policy statement on research security and new collaborations with academia
In it, they asked the Government of Canada-Universities Working Group to develop specific risk guidelines to integrate national security considerations into the evaluation and funding of research projects and partnerships.
These risk guidelines will help researchers, research institutions, and government funders assess and reduce potential risks to research security. The Granting Councils and the Canada Foundation for Innovation are currently reviewing their security policies and procedures. Their goal is to better integrate national security considerations into their activities.
All organizations should remain vigilant and alert to the potential threats outlined in the September 2020 policy statement about research security and COVID-19.
Please explore these links for helpful tools and information: