Research security

1. Researchers are encouraged to conduct due diligence on potential research partners before pursuing any research partnership opportunity. The guidance from the Government of Canada on conducting open-source due diligence is useful in this regard. The Risk Assessment Form and available open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, such as free databases, are useful when conducting due diligence analysis. The RSU can also support researchers in conducting due diligence, especially when the research project involves leveraging a federal research funding program (e.g. NSERC Alliance) and/or international research partnership.
   
   
2. Researchers are also encouraged to take the Research Security Training Courses designed by the Government to better equip Canadian researchers with the knowledge and resources to protect their research. Completing these self-paced online courses could also serve as one of the risk mitigation strategies that can be cited in the Risk Assessment Form when submitting grant applications.
   
   
3. Researchers will benefit from attending workshops, webinars and conferences aimed at raising awareness on research security. From time to time, the RSU will share information on these kinds of events to the UVic research community.

The Risk Assessment Form is required by certain federal funding programs as part of the implementation of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships. Typically, funding applications on research projects involving partnership with organizations from the private sector will require a completed Risk Assessment Form. For further clarification, please consult the specific requirements of the funding program being pursued. 

An Attestation Form is required when applying for federal funding from applicable programs of NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC and CFI on projects that aim to advance any of the listed Sensitive Technology Research Areas. Only researchers with named roles in the grant application (e.g. applicant, co-applicant and collaborator) will need to individually complete the Attestation Form to confirm that they do not have an active affiliation nor receive funding or in-kind support from any entity on Canada's list of Named Research Organizations (NRO). The lead applicant will compile all signed Attestation Forms for submission to the funding agency. 

• Tri-Agency Attestation Form
• CFI Attestation Form

Consult the following websites to learn more about the funding programs covered by these policies.

• Tri-agency funding programs covered by STRAC
• Tri-agency funding programs covered by NSGRP
• CFI funding programs covered by STRAC and NSGRP

A malign foreign talent recruitment program (MFTRP) is a recruitment program administered by an entity in a foreign country, the ultimate objective of which is to acquire scientific research or intellectual properties, either unethically or unlawfully, in order to advance the interests or strategic objectives of a foreign government of concern. This is oftentimes to the detriment of Canada’s national security. Briefly, MFTRP involves recruiting researchers with expertise in relevant research areas and offering them with cash or in-kind compensation in exchange for efforts such as the following:

1. Engaging in unauthorized transfer of intellectual property (IP), materials, data or non-public information
2. Utilizing or commercializing in a foreign country the intellectual properties that originated from Canadian research without respecting the Canadian institution’s IP policy
3. Establishing a laboratory or company in a foreign country that ultimately competes with Canadian institution’s programs or research initiatives
4. Refraining participants from disclosing to their employing institution or federal research agency their participation in MFTRP
5. Recruiting others to join the MFTRP

From the UVic context, the researcher’s participation in MFTRP could lead to a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment. It could also limit the researcher from participating in international research collaborations supported by a federal research agency that requires non-participation in MFTRP as one of the conditions for obtaining research funding. Examples of such federal research agencies are the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE) in the US. For more details, please see the Guidelines for Federal Research Agencies Regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs. Moreover, not disclosing their participation or the support they received from MFTRP could affect the researcher's eligibility to receive funding and participate in research projects supported by the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Researchers are encouraged to follow best practices when exploring participation in foreign talent programs.

Researchers are recommended to consult at least the following resources before travelling:

• Review travel security checklist
• Prepare for safe travel off-campus
• Review travel advisories
• Exercise best practices for International Travel and Data Security
• Be aware of potential cybersecurity risks when travelling
• Review travel guides posted on the research security website

Sanctions are a foreign policy tool for maintaining and restoring international peace and security, combatting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights. It’s a mechanism to enforce international law (e.g. UN sanctions), and to incite behavioural or policy change.

Sanctions could be imposed on individuals, entities or states to put restrictions on certain activities. Canadian sanctions are imposed under the United Nations Act (UNA), Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), or Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

Prohibitions are in place for certain dealings with sanctioned individuals, entities or states. Violating sanctions could result in committing a criminal act (enforced by RCMP and CBSA). Therefore, it is a great practice to conduct open-source due diligence on the individuals and the entities you are dealing with when undertaking activities, such as the following:

1. Exploring or pursuing research collaborations
2. Hiring faculty and researchers
3. Hosting foreign researchers or students
4. Accepting donations, receiving research funding or transferring research funding
5. Importing or exporting goods and technologies
6. Providing scientific and technical assistance
7. Exchanging or presenting research results

Checking the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List or using relevant OSINT tools (e.g. Sanctions Explorer) could facilitate for the appropriate due diligence.

What: Safeguarding Science: Raising awareness of security risks and mitigation tools in the research ecosystem 

When: October 24, 2024, 1:00pm to 2:00pm PST

Where: ECS 660

Speaker: Mr. Nigel Fitch, Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

RSVP by October 21st, 2024 to researchsecurity@uvic.ca 

What: Cybersecurity and Physical Lab Security Best Practices Workshop

When: October 28, 2024, 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Where: Virtual, Teams link to be provided upon registration

Speakers: Research Computing, Campus Security and OHSE

RSVP by October 21st to researchsecurity@uvic.ca 

What: Digital Research Alliance Webinars

When: Select one of the following sessions

• Planning for Cybersecurity - DMP Assistant, October 10, 2024 10:00 to 11:00am PT
• Cybersecurity Hygiene, October 15, 2024 11:00 to 12:00pm PT
• Insider Threats, October 17, 2024 10:11 to 11:00am PT

Where: Virtual

Host: Digital Research Alliance of Canada

What: Dual-Use Technologies: Know Your Research – Know your Partners - Assess the Risk (Safeguarding Science Module 2)

When: Select one from the following sessions

• May 17th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
• June 11th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
• October 3rd, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link

What: Demystifying the International Student Immigration Process (Safeguarding Science Module 3)

When: Select one from the following sessions

• May 21st, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
• June 18th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
• November 19th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link

What: IP Protection: Basics of Patenting

When: June 26, 2024 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM PDT

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided upon RSVP)

Speaker: Carsten Grellmann, Patent Lawyer, Klarquist Sparkmann

RSVP by June 21st to researchsecurity@uvic.ca 

What: CFI Webinar: Policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern

When: Select one from the following sessions:

• May 27th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT 
• May 31st, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT  

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: CFI

What: Tri-Agency Webinar: Policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern

When: Select one from the following sessions

• May 6th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT (French) 
• May 9th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT (English) 
• May 28th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT (English) 
• May 30th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT (French)

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)

What: Safeguarding Science Workshop (Module 1)

When: Select one from the following sessions

• May 2nd, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
• May 14th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
• July 9th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT 
• August 7th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT 
• September 17th, 2024 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
• October 22nd, 2024 10:00am to 11:30am PDT 
• November 5th, 2024 10:00am to 11:30am PDT

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

What: Know before you Export: Canada’s Export and Brokering Controls (Safeguarding Science Module 4)

When: Select one from the following sessions

• May 24th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
• June 6th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link

What: Canada's Export Controls and Implications to Academic Research

When: April 15th, 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Speakers:

• Marcus Tsao, Senior Policy Analyst, Export Controls Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada
• Serge Stang, Senior Policy Officer, Export Controls Operations Division, Global Affairs Canada
• Ryan Petrusenko, Technical Officer, Export Controls Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada

RSVP by April 8th to researchsecurity@uvic.ca 

What: Safeguarding Science Workshop (Module 1)

When: Select one from the following sessions

• February 12, 2024 @ 9:30AM - 11:00AM PST (English)
• 13 février 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM HNP (Français)
• February 14, 2024 @ 10:00AM - 11:30AM PST (English)
• February 15, 2024 @ 10:00AM - 11:30AM PST (English)
• 19 février 2024 @ 8:00AM - 9:30AM HNP (Français)
• February 20, 2024 @ 1:00PM - 2:30PM PST (English)
• February 21, 2024 @ 6:30AM - 8:00AM PST (English)
• 22 février 2024 @ 8:00AM - 9:30AM HNP (Français)
• 28 février 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM HNP (Français)
• February 29, 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM PST (English)

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)

Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link

What: Cybersecurity for Researchers: Research Data Management and Storage

When: January 29, 2024 at 3:00PM to 4:30PM PST

Where: Hybrid - ECS Room 660 (in-person attendees) and Teams (virtual attendees; link to be provided upon RSVP)

Speakers: Ryan McRonald, UVic Research Computing Services 
                   Dr. Sarah Huber, UVic Research Computing Services 
                   Shahira Khair, UVic Libraries

RSVP by January 22nd to researchsecurity@uvic.ca 

What: The China Science, Technology, and Innovation Checklist: Best Practices for Canadian Innovators (Workshop for Startups)

When: January 25, 2024 at 4:00PM to 5:30PM PST

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided to participants upon RSVP)

Speakers: Mr. Matthew Pal, Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou
                   Mr. Anthony Finch, Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou

RSVP by January 18th to researchsecurity@uvic.ca

What: Safeguarding Science

When: November 9, 2023 at 10:00 - 11:30AM PST

Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided to participants upon RSVP)

Speaker: Mr. Nigel Fitch, Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada

RSVP by November 3rd to engr.ilo@uvic.ca 

What: Overview of the Research Security Centre

When: June 27, 2023 at 10:00AM PST

Where: Engineering & Computer Science (ECS) Room 660

Speaker: Public Safety Canada

RSVP by June 23rd to researchsecurity@uvic.ca