Research Security Risk Awareness Resources
U.S. Government Educational Resources
The Office of Research Security (ORS) has compiled the following educational resources developed by U.S. government agencies to help researchers recognize research security risks commonly encountered in academia.
These publications complement Stony Brook University's research security program by providing practical guidance on topics such as academic solicitation, international travel, professional networking, protecting research information, and safeguarding emerging technologies.
The resources below were selected because they are broadly applicable to faculty conducting open academic research and do not focus on classified research or cleared contractor requirements.
Academic Solicitation & Research Security
These resources explain how otherwise legitimate academic activities—including collaboration requests, conference invitations, manuscript reviews, visiting scholar appointments, and research partnerships—may occasionally be used to obtain research information, technical expertise, or access to developing technologies.
Recommended Resources
- NCSC – Safeguarding Academia
- NCSC – Quick Reference Guide for Students & Researchers
- NIST Research Security Office – Safeguarding International Science
International Travel
International travel presents unique risks involving electronic devices, research information, professional interactions, and institutional data.
The following resources provide practical recommendations for reducing those risks before, during, and after international travel.
Recommended Resources
Professional Networking & Social Media
Professional networking platforms and online communications are valuable tools for research collaboration. These resources provide practical recommendations for protecting professional information and recognizing inappropriate requests for research information.
Recommended Resources
Protecting Research & Emerging Technologies
These resources discuss why certain research areas and emerging technologies receive increased attention from foreign governments and provide practical recommendations for safeguarding research while supporting open science.
Recommended Resources
Videos & Interactive Learning
The following short videos provide practical examples of research security risks commonly encountered in academia, including international travel, professional networking, phishing, social engineering, and protection of research information.
Recommended Videos
National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) Awareness Videos
Topics include:
- Travel Awareness
- Human Targeting
- Social Media Deception
- Social Engineering
- Spear Phishing
- Public Wi-Fi Threats
- Supply Chain Risk Management
NIST Research Security Training Videos
NIST Research Security Training
A series developed specifically to help researchers, universities, and federal partners understand research security risks while supporting open scientific collaboration.