MI5 has warned universities that hostile foreign powers are targeting sensitive research as ministers consider ways to strengthen protections.
Vice-chancellors from 24 major educational institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London, were briefed on the threat by Ken McCullum, director of the Internal Security Agency, and Felicity Oswald, director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). received.
Additionally, the UK government is considering increasing funding to improve the security of sensitive sites. Deputy Chancellor Oliver Dowden plans to consult on a range of measures, including considering granting security clearances to key university staff and strengthening processes to improve transparency in funding, particularly with foreign institutions. Announced.
This measure will focus on a small portion of academic research, with particular emphasis on research that has dual civilian and military potential.
McCallum told the vice-chancellor that hostile states were targeting the university to steal technology that could “achieve authoritarian, military and commercial priorities,” the Times reported. .
Concerns that adversaries, particularly China, are gaining undue influence over the higher education sector led the government last year to order a review of protections for higher education in a new foreign and security policy.
Professor Dowden previously warned that some universities’ dependence on foreign funding could leave them open to “influence, exploitation and even coercion” by foreign powers.
Speaking after the security briefing, Professor Dowden said: “For thousands of years, our universities have thrived on being open: open to ideas, open to innovation, open to independence from government. I did.
“This is not about building fences, but about balancing evolving threats and protecting the integrity and security of our great organization.”
The talks will consider proposals to protect cutting-edge technologies being developed in sensitive areas that are targeted by states seeking to steal intellectual property to strengthen their economic and military power.
The NCSC and the National Protection and Security Agency have also launched tools to help universities assess the safety of their research.
Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donnellan said: “I think universities are at the forefront of the information war.
“The UK’s world-leading reputation as an academic powerhouse depends on having strong safeguards to protect our research from those who would do us harm.”
Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group of leading research universities, said: “Russell Group universities take their national security responsibilities very seriously and are already working closely with government and intelligence agencies to protect the UK’s advances in critical areas such as AI.” for our national interests.
“But we also recognize that security is a dynamic and evolving challenge, which means we need the right expertise and intelligence to respond.”
Vivian Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said: ‘Universities UK has been working with the government for several years to ensure that universities are supported and prepared to recognize and reduce risks to national security. Ta.
“This is important and necessary and we welcome the Government’s approach to working with us to get the mechanism right.”
