Research Security Program (RSP)
What is Research Security?
Research security entails safeguarding sensitive information and technologies against unauthorized access, theft, or improper use. This encompasses proprietary details, research findings, and personal data of study participants. Inadequate protection of such information can lead to substantial risks for individuals, organizations, and national security.
The federal government defines research security programs as a multi-pronged approach to safeguard “the research enterprise against the misappropriation of research and development to the detriment of national or economic security, related violations of research integrity, and foreign government interference.”
NSMP-33
The National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33 (NSPM-33), issued on January 14, 2021, recognizes the critical role that research plays in advancing national security and competitiveness and directs actions by federal funding agencies and covered participants to strengthen protections of U.S. government-supported research against foreign government influence, interference, and exploitation.
The term “participants” includes researchers at academic research institutions and medical centers.
NSPM-33 final guidance was issued July 9, 2024, and directs that covered entities, including academic research institutions, implement and certify a research security program that includes the following elements:
- Cybersecurity;
- Foreign travel security,
- Research security training; and
- Export control training for individuals who perform research involving export-controlled technologies and processes for reviewing foreign sponsors, collaborators, and partnerships
The CHIPS and Science Act
- Researchers on federal research awards must complete annual research security training. (Section 10634)
- Researchers must certify at the time of proposal submission and annually during the duration of an award that they are not part of a malign foreign talent recruitment program. (Section 10632)
- Institutions must certify that researchers are aware of the prohibition of participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs. (Section 10634)
The Research Security Program aims to protect Wake Forest University research and all the individuals who make research possible, while meeting federal requirements. The following resources are provided to Wake Forest University researchers and visitors to ensure research security and integrity while collaborating globally and advancing knowledge.
If you have any questions related to research security, please email rsrchsec@wfu.edu for assistance.