It will be increasingly important to demonstrate to university partners (federal agencies, research partners, law enforcement) that IU has the ability and the will to proactively address issues of academic espionage. Some steps might include:
- A counter exploitation plan
- Appropriate foreign actor monitoring
- Dissemination of the issues to raise awareness
- Protections and procedures (monitoring and reporting) for the research community
Protection of the research environment including its personnel, facilities, innovative ideas and housed data and information is paramount to reduce the exploitation of those who would take advantage.
In March 2020, the Vice President for Research created the Indiana University Research Security Office (RSO) to provide a cohesive and organized approach for university research security and prepare the university for developing processes to protect sensitive research. A component of this protection involves reviewing, recommending, and implementing aspects of research security that reduce risk and liability for the university by addressing specific issues related to researchers, their staff and labs, and the overall operational implementation of guiding principles that enhance research security while reducing issues of exploitation within the open university environment. The RSO will continue to work towards the development of policies, practices, and procedures that foster research, enhance security confidence and promote best behavioral practices in support of federal concerns about broad based university exploitation.
