To achieve its 2047 development goals, India emphasizes science, technology, and research security to harness innovation while addressing global competitiveness and emerging threats.

Role of Science and Technology in India’s Development by 2047

• India aims to achieve significant development by 2047 with an emphasis on science and technology (S&T) in strategic and emerging sectors.
• Investment in cutting-edge technologies is crucial to:
  • Stay globally competitive.
  • Address societal challenges.
  • Unlock economic opportunities.

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Importance of Research Security

• Definition: Safeguarding scientific research from threats to confidentiality, economic value, and national interest.
• Research security protects the:
  • Means, know-how, and products of research
  • Scientific research inputs
  • Processes
  • Outcomes 
• It’s important for: 
  • Protecting public investment in research 
  • Preventing the misuse of research data and technology 
  • Protecting the safety and security of students and employees traveling abroad 
  • Safeguarding against foreign government interference 
  • Minimizing risks and maximizing rewards of collaborative science
• Threats in the Geopolitical Context:
  • Foreign Interference: Influence or manipulation by foreign entities to compromise national research interests.
    • Example: According to U.S. intelligence, the Russian government conducted foreign electoral interference in the 2016 United States elections with the goal of boosting the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.
  • Intellectual Property Theft: Stealing proprietary knowledge or technologies to gain economic or strategic advantage.
    • Example: In late 2020, North Korean cyber attackers reportedly targeted the vaccine maker AstraZeneca in the UK.
  • Insider Threats: Individuals within organizations compromising research security, intentionally or unintentionally.
    • Example: A Harvard professor arrested in 2020 for undisclosed ties to Chinese funding while receiving US defense grants.
  • Cyberattacks: Hacking attempts to sabotage or steal sensitive research data and disrupt critical infrastructure.
    • Example: In 2021, a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline caused widespread fuel shortages on the East Coast of the United States.
  • Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Data: Breaches exposing confidential research, harming national security and competitiveness.
    • Example: In 2018, the University of California, Berkeley experienced a data breach affecting personal information of over 300,000 individuals, including faculty, staff, and students.

Global Precedents on Research Security

• USA:
  • CHIPS and Science Act with research security provisions.
  • National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
    • Published in January 2021, NSPM-33 directs federal agencies to strengthen protections against foreign government interference in US government-supported research and development.
• Canada:
  • National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships.
    • In February 2023, three Canadian government ministers released a joint statement that bans government funding for research in sensitive areas if researchers are affiliated with certain foreign entities.
• European Union:
  • Risk appraisal
    • Before signing a partnership agreement, research and innovation organizations can perform a risk appraisal to consider the motivations and agendas of international partners.
  • Emphasis on sector self-governance and risk-based approaches.
  • Horizon Europe guidelines for research security.

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Challenges in Research Security

• Conflict with the Collaborative Nature of Science: Restrictions to safeguard research can hinder international collaborations critical to scientific advancements.
  • The Human Genome Project, a massive international collaboration, required open sharing of data and resources to accelerate scientific progress. Imposing strict security measures could have hindered such collaborative efforts.
• Balancing Open Science and Security: Ensuring transparency and accessibility in research while safeguarding sensitive information.
  • During COVID 19, rapid sharing of research data was crucial for vaccine development, concerns about intellectual property rights and misuse of sensitive information led to debates about data sharing restrictions.
• Increased Administrative Burden: Implementing research security measures increases the complexity of compliance for universities and researchers.
  • Regulatory obligations like the UK’s National Security and Investment Act and Canada’s National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships require universities to dedicate significant resources to compliance.
• Risk of Political Interference: Security measures could become a tool for political influence, undermining academic freedom.
  • In some countries, research security measures have been used to suppress dissent or stifle critical research.
• Cost of Implementation: Establishing robust research security infrastructure is resource-intensive.
  • Tools like Dimensions Research Security, while effective in addressing risks, require financial investments that many institutions might struggle to afford.
• Dynamic and Evolving Threats: Rapid advancements in AI and other technologies make threats more unpredictable and complex.
  • The rapid evolution of cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks and data breaches, necessitates constant vigilance and adaptation of security measures.
• International Conflicts and Rivalries: Geopolitical tensions add complexity to managing research security across borders.
  • For instance, the US-China trade war has impacted scientific collaborations between the two countries, hindering joint research projects.
• Potential Over-Regulation: Overly stringent security measures can stifle innovation.
  • Regulations that fail to differentiate between routine research and high-risk areas could discourage researchers from exploring cutting-edge topics, as noted in discussions around AI governance.
• Integration with Research Ecosystem: Security protocols must align with research workflows without disrupting core activities.
  • For instance, strict data access controls may make it difficult for researchers to collaborate effectively.
• Emerging AI Risks: AI introduces ethical dilemmas, such as the potential misuse of algorithms and data.
  • AI’s ability to fabricate content complicates trust in research outputs. 
  • It also poses risks, like the use of machine learning models in developing unauthorized applications (e.g., deepfake technologies).

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Steps to Promote Research Security in India

• Formulate a National Research Security Policy: Develop a comprehensive framework to safeguard sensitive data, intellectual property, and strategic technologies like AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
  • Canada’s National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships can serve as inspiration for India.
• Strengthen Cybersecurity Infrastructure: Invest in advanced cybersecurity systems to prevent cyberattacks and secure research infrastructure. Collaborate with national cybersecurity agencies for real-time threat detection and mitigation.
  • The European Space Agency enhanced its cybersecurity measures after targeted cyberattacks on sensitive projects.
• Classify and Prioritize Strategic Research: Categorize research projects based on their strategic importance and apply proportionate security measures to minimize over-regulation.
  • The US National Science Foundation classifies research areas to allocate security resources effectively.
• Promote Awareness and Training: Organize workshops, training, and educational modules for researchers on secure research practices and risk mitigation.
  • Universities in the UK, such as the University of Bristol, incorporate secure research training in their curriculum. Enhance Transparency in Foreign Collaborations: Require researchers to disclose foreign funding and collaborations, particularly in sensitive areas, to identify potential risks.

• • The US NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance mandates full disclosure of foreign partnerships to safeguard research.
• Establish a Dedicated Research Security Office: Create a specialized office under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to coordinate and oversee research security measures across institutions.
  • The US NSF’s Research Security Office serves as a model for such an initiative.
• Adopt Ethical Standards for AI Research: Develop ethical norms and accountability guidelines for AI research to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.
  • The AI Research Centre at City, University of London emphasizes the ethical responsibility of researchers.
• Allocate Funding and Foster International Collaboration: Provide financial support for secure research infrastructure and training while collaborating with trusted international partners to share expertise and best practices.
  • India’s collaborations within the Quad (US, Japan, Australia) could focus on research security in emerging technologies.

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Conclusion

Ensuring robust research security is essential for safeguarding India’s strategic interests, fostering innovation, and achieving its development objectives by 2047. By balancing security with openness and collaboration, India can build a resilient and globally competitive research ecosystem.

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