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Safeguarding Research

Home » Safeguarding Research

Safeguarding Research efforts at York University aim to equip staff and faculty with information and tools to develop safe, mutually beneficial and transparent global relationships while safeguarding valuable research and institutional reputation.

What is Safeguarding Research?

Research security efforts seek to safeguard research from being inappropriately accessed and used to advance the strategic, military, intelligence or surveillance capabilities of a threat actor. Work in sensitive areas is particularly vulnerable to this threat.

Research Security refers to the ability to identify possible risks to your work through unwanted access, interference, or theft and the measures that minimize these risks and protect the inputs, processes, and products that are part of scientific research and discovery. (ISED: Why safeguard your research? (science.gc.ca)

Why is Safeguarding Research Important

Your international partnerships are critical to your work. Research security practices help you safeguard your work and make informed decisions about the partnerships you pursue.

Conducting routine due diligence regarding your potential partners will help you build safe, mutually-beneficial and transparent partnerships.

Risks can be mitigated by applying routine due diligence practices. Safeguard your work by:

  • Knowing your industry partners and team members
  • Strengthening cybersecurity measures in place
  • Employing effective data management processes

How Can We Support Your Work

  • Briefings on international, federal and provincial research security requirements
  • Training and support on open-source due diligence
  • Sharing information and resources to help you understand the risk environment
  • Providing travel advice to help safeguard you and your work in your travels
  • Navigating granting agencies’ processes and requirements
    • Training and support to help you craft meaningful risk assessments and effective mitigation strategies
    • Conducting due diligence checks to support your applications
  • Supporting due diligence measures as you consider new partners and team members
  • Guidance to implement your risk mitigation strategy

Safeguarding Your Work Abroad

We work alongside York International, UIT and Risk Management to help protect your research in your travels.

If you are travelling with access to sensitive information, you may wish to employ additional measures to safeguard your research.