Research Security Should Be A National Priority

Context

• India aims to lead in strategic and emerging technologies like space, defense, and AI by 2047.
• Significant investments are crucial to achieve global competitiveness and address societal challenges.

Global Responses to Research Security

• United States: The US CHIPS and Science Act includes provisions for research security, supported by guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Canada: Implemented National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships, identifying sensitive technologies and institutions from countries like China, Iran, and Russia.
• European Union: The European Council recommends self-governance principles and risk-based responses, emphasizing the establishment of a centre of expertise on research security.

Research Security in India

• Current State: Despite India’s progress in strategic R&D, research security has not received adequate attention in academic or policymaking circles.
  • This leaves gaps that adversaries could exploit.
• Key challenges include:
  • Foreign influence on universities and research labs.
  • Vulnerabilities in strategic research infrastructure.
  • Insider threats through personnel hiring and access control practices.
  • Limited existing frameworks for securing sensitive data and technologies.

Proposed Measures for India

• Mapping Vulnerabilities: Assess foreign influence and funding in universities.
  • Review vulnerabilities in research labs and infrastructure.
  • Evaluate insider threats in critical facilities.
  • Audit foreign collaborations in strategic sectors.
• Developing a Research Security Framework: Categorise research based on strategic value, economic impact, and national security implications.
  • Adopt a risk-based and proportionate response, as recommended by the EU.
  • Develop a surveillance mechanism to monitor emerging risks.
• Capacity Building and Collaboration: Engage with trusted international partners for initial capacity-building efforts.
  • Foster collaboration between security agencies, researchers, and technical experts to draft guidelines.
  • Establish a Research Security Office under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to coordinate and implement security measures.

Addressing Challenges

• Academic Freedom vs. Research Security: Balancing restrictions on foreign funding/collaborations with the collaborative nature of science.
  • Ensuring that security measures do not stifle open science principles (e.g., open data, shared research infrastructure).
• Administrative Burden: Minimise bureaucracy to prevent additional administrative challenges for researchers.
• Avoiding Overreach: Prevent research security from becoming a tool for political interference in academia.
  • Ensure decisions are guided by technical expertise, not solely by intelligence/security agencies.

Implementation Strategy

• Secure funding and effective communication to create a cadre of research security professionals.
• Engage researchers at all decision-making levels.
• Adopt the principle: “As open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
• Use the ANRF as a focal point for coordination among security agencies and academic institutions.

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