Trusted research -Risks
The Centre for Prevention of National Infrastructure (CPNI) defines a hostile state as ¡°one whose democratic and ethical values are different from our own and whose strategic intent is hostile to the UK¡±.
Objectives of hostile states may include:
- Ensuring regime stability by such means as discouraging opposition
- Ensure economic and military superiority over other nations through the development of their research and innovation sector
- Utilise technology and military advances against their own citizens to maintain regime stability
International collaboration provides hostile state actors the ability to access research whilst bypassing traditional espionage and cyber-attacks. This global collaboration can permit those with dishonourable intentions access to individuals, networks and sensitive research.
Should a hostile state actor acquire your research, though legitimate or illegal means, the consequences may apply both to you as in individual but also the University as a whole. Repercussions may include loss of trust and integrity, financial loss, and reputational loss.
- Does your research have the potential for patentable technology or is it commercially sensitive?
- Is your research associated with sensitive defence or national security technology?
- Does your research have the potential to be exploited for future dual-use (military and non-military) or unethical applications (e.g. internal surveillance and repression)?
- Does your research include sensitive data or personally identifiable information that you must protect? E.g. commercial test data, details of individuals, genetic or medical information or population datasets.
- Is your research likely to be subject to UK or other foreign nation¡¯s Export Control requirements?
To ensure both continued international collaboration and protection of your research, the below actions are needed:
- Partner Due diligence ¨C including review of sanction lists and adverse media
- Consideration of Conflict of Interest ¨C including existing partners to University
- Management of Access ¨C control access to sensitive data and security of partner/third party sharing platforms
- Legal Framework ¨C including Export Control, arms embargoes, compliance with foreign jurisdiction and GDPR implications etc