Factsheet 5 Mitigating, preventive and curative measures

An overview of measures that research institutions and research funders can take to mitigate risks of research security breaches. Mitigation measures are divided into preventive and curative actions. They are part of the implementation of a policy for secure international cooperation.

Preventive measures

• Transparency about research relations, towards your funding agency (e.g. BELSPO) and  your own institution;
• Establish clear partnership agreements,  with agreed conditions  on Intellectual Properties,  on data sharing and applications of data;
• Conducting risk analyses in case of international cooperation, including the use of a national Risk assessment tool;
• ’Due diligence’ check with regard to foreign partners and financiers;
• Good cyber hygiene and access control of data and infrastructure;
• Awareness raising  and training via the (future) Belgian hub for research security;
• Compliance with codes of conduct and ethical review;
• Procedures for extra vigilance in international travel or when receiving visitors.

Curative measures

• Review or discontinuation of cooperation in case of  increased risk.
• Enhanced monitoring and follow-up of ongoing projects.
• Engagement of competent services such as our Belgian state security service (VSSE - in Dutch  or French  ), or The General (military) Intelligence and Security Service (ADIV  - in Dutch  or French ), BELSPO … in case of  incidents.
• Adaptation of internal procedures following incidents.
• Transparent reporting and policy improvement.