Research security has been a topic of concern for lawmakers for the past several years. The National Security Presidential Memorandum- 33 (NSPM-33) was released in the final days of the Trump Administration, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued guidance on the implementation of NSPM-33. The focus on safeguarding US research against misappropriation and foreign government interference was also a major policy focus in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) addresses five key areas related to national security strategy for U.S. government-supported research and development:
1. Disclosure Requirements and Standardization: This provision outlines guidelines for disclosure and standardization practices.
2. Digital Persistent Identifiers: NSPM-33 emphasizes the use of digital persistent identifiers to enhance research data management and traceability.
3. Consequences for Violation of Disclosure Requirements: The memorandum specifies consequences for non-compliance with disclosure requirements.
4. Information Sharing: It encourages agencies to share relevant information to enhance research security and safeguard national interests.
5. Research Security Programs: NSPM-33 highlights the importance of robust research security programs. A compliant research security program must have:
- Cyber Security: Ensuring robust protection against cyber threats, including secure data storage, access controls, and encryption measures. Research projects must have baseline safeguarding protocols and procedures for IT systems used to store, transmit, and conduct federally funded R&D.
- Foreign Travel Security: Addressing risks associated with international travel, such as data exposure, espionage, or unauthorized access. Under these provisions, UNO must keep a record of foreign travel by covered individuals engaged in federal R&D, and must require disclosure & authorization in advance of foreign travel, and provide security briefings prior to certain foreign travel.
- Research Security Training: Equipping researchers with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect against risks and threats to the global research ecosystem. NSF has created compliant research security training modules, which are available on Bridge. UNO will be required to certify training for personnel on award applications (pursuant to CHIPS).
- Export Control Training: Ensuring compliance with export control regulations. UNO provides export controls training to personnel on export-controlled projects. The training is also available on CITI, and helps researchers differentiate between restricted and fundamental research projects, and explains how to comply with US export regulations and restricted party lists.