NSPM-33 Research Security Program
Overview
The Research Security Program, outlined in National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) aims to ensure the security and integrity of research by addressing risks related to sensitive data, intellectual property, and export-controlled information.
Search the topics below to learn how the University of Utah is responding to the proposed NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.
Ensuring cybersecurity includes conducting regular awareness training, restricting system access, controlling external connections, securely managing non-public information, verifying user identification, implementing authentication measures, monitoring communication, setting up segregated subnetworks, protecting data, promptly addressing system flaws, defending against malicious code, and conducting routine security scans.
University of Utah Policy
As part of our research security program, we provide training to our personnel, emphasizing awareness and identification of research security threats, including insider threat training when relevant. We integrate pertinent research security elements into existing training on responsible and ethical conduct for our faculty and students.
enroll for Research Security Training
Required for DOE researchers. Recommended for all researchers
Estimated time to complete: 60 mins
The DOE, through the 2025-02 Financial Assistance Letter (FAL), requires all "Covered Individuals" to complete Research Security Training (RST) effective May 1st, 2025.
The DOE defines a "Covered Individual" as
“…an individual who (a) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project funded by DOE or proposed for funding by DOE, and (b) is designated as a covered individual by DOE. At a minimum, DOE designates as covered individuals any principal investigator (PI); project director (PD); co-principal investigator (Co-PI); co-project director (Co-PD); project manager; and any individual regardless of title that is functionally performing as a PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or project manager.”
The University values and encourages international research collaboration and scholarship.
While international projects and activities are important to the university and to individual researchers, these engagements may also present individual and institutional risks. Recognizing, understanding, and dealing with such challenges and related issues will help ensure responsible, effective and productive research collaborations.
Course outline:
- Research security introduction
- Research security definition
- Researcher responsibilities
- Key federal regulations
- Core values of academic research that support research security
- Importance of disclosure for research security
- Disclosure definition
- Conflict of Interest vs. Conflict of Commitment
- Activities, affiliations, and support to be disclosed
- Non-disclosure consequences
- Importance of international collaboration
- Risk mitigation and management
We uphold thorough international travel policies for our faculty and staff, encompassing business, teaching, conferences, research, and sponsored travel.
These policies entail maintaining travel records, requiring advance disclosure and authorization, conducting security briefings, offering assistance with electronic device security, and imposing pre-registration requirements.
The University of Utah adheres to principles of openness in research based on its mission of education, research and public service. Export controls are U.S. laws that regulate distribution to foreign nationals, foreign entities, and foreign countries. Please review the Export Control Basics briefing.
Export Control Basics for the University of Utah
export controls - office of sponsored projects
If you have questions about export controls, please contact us at rso@utah.edu.
Resources
Export control training covers the requirements and processes for reviewing foreign sponsors, collaborators, and partnerships, ensuring compliance with Federal export control requirements and restricted entities lists.