/Office for Research and Innovation
Research Security

 

Research Security Roles and Responsibilities 

Shared Responsibility

Research security is a shared responsibility across the Stony Brook University research community. Researchers, departments, research administrators, and institutional offices all play an important role in protecting the integrity of research while supporting the openness, collaboration, and academic freedom that are fundamental to the University's mission.

The Office of Research Security (ORS) works collaboratively with the campus community to help researchers understand sponsor requirements, identify research security considerations, and develop practical compliance strategies throughout the research lifecycle.

Responsibilities of the Research Community

Investigators, research staff, students, and administrators are expected to support responsible research practices by:

Transparency and Disclosure

  • Submitting complete, accurate, and timely institutional and sponsor disclosures.
  • Reporting changes to external relationships, appointments, research support, and other activities as required.
  • Seeking guidance whenever disclosure obligations are uncertain.

Responsible Research Practices

  • Understanding and complying with applicable sponsor requirements, University policies, export control regulations, and research security requirements.
  • Engaging ORS early when research involves international collaborations, foreign sponsors, sensitive technologies, controlled research, or other activities requiring institutional review.
  • Working collaboratively with institutional offices to address research security considerations.

Protecting Research Assets

  • Protecting research data, intellectual property, and research materials from unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Using approved data storage, secure research environments, and appropriate safeguards.
  • Following sponsor and University requirements for research data protection and cybersecurity.

Awareness and Reporting

  • Remaining alert to potential research security concerns, including undue foreign influence, inappropriate requests for information, suspicious activities, or cybersecurity incidents.
  • Reporting potential concerns promptly through appropriate University reporting channels.
  • Completing required research security, export control, and sponsor-required training.

How ORS Supports the Research Community

ORS serves as a trusted resource for faculty, staff, students, research administrators, and institutional leadership by providing guidance throughout the research lifecycle.

Services include:

  • University and sponsor disclosure guidance
  • International collaboration reviews
  • International visitor and travel consultations
  • Foreign sponsor and international appointment reviews
  • Export control compliance and licensing
  • Research data protection and secure research environment guidance
  • Federal sponsor research security guidance
  • Organizational Conflict of Interest reviews
  • Research security education and training
  • Coordination with institutional partners on research security matters

The goal of these services is to support informed decision-making, facilitate responsible research collaborations, and help investigators comply with applicable sponsor, regulatory, and institutional requirements.

Reporting Research Security Concerns

Members of the University community who become aware of a potential research security concern should report it promptly.

Potential concerns may include:

  • Unauthorized disclosure of research information
  • Export control concerns
  • Undisclosed external relationships or activities
  • Suspicious requests for research information
  • Potential cybersecurity incidents affecting research
  • Other activities that may impact research security or compliance

Concerns may be reported through:

  • EthicsPoint: Reports may be submitted via SBU's secure third-party confidential reporting system by web and mobile devices or telephone (see information provided below).  Select the "Export Control/Research Security Concern" type. Reports may be submitted anonymously.  Mobile & Web Report is available or you may report by phone at (833) 223-7024 

OR 

  • You may e-mail or call (631-632-1954) the Director of Research Security. 

Working Together

Research security is most effective when investigators engage with ORS early in the research process. Early consultation allows ORS to identify applicable requirements, coordinate with institutional partners, and provide practical guidance before commitments are made or issues arise.

ORS is committed to supporting research that is open, collaborative, innovative, and conducted in a manner consistent with sponsor requirements, applicable regulations, and University policies.

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