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College and university research departments often collaborate on data collection and analysis, with the aim of a more thorough and expedient validation of findings. Yet the transfer and/or processing of this valuable material can put institutions at risk of losing intellectual property and sensitive information.
Steve Scholz, Principal Technical Specialist for Security, Compliance, and Identity, US Education, at Microsoft argues, Colleges and universities of all sizes conduct research across a
number of fields and disciplines.
Photo: alphaspirit.it / Shutterstock.com © 2021
Whether it's biological research on the role that imprinting plays in creating new species of poison dart frogs in Panama or economic research into the distribution shortfalls experienced by independent produce sellers in Michigan, for centuries higher education has been shaping the way we look at the world. But while many institutions may hold rivalries on the football field, when it comes to collaborating on and sharing research, they have many reasons to put aside the big foam fingers and work together. This collegiate spirit of reciprocity regarding data collection and analysis not only produces more balanced and meaningful knowledge but also cuts down on duplication of efforts, establishes accountability and transparency, and enables more rapid validation of findings.Footnote1 Yet this interinstitutional cooperation also introduces a challenge: how to protect the digital transfer of valuable (and possibly classified) material from cyberattacks.
As digital threats grow in sophistication, many higher education institutions are struggling to keep step with their security measures. This can be especially problematic for any federally funded research that handles controlled unclassified information (CUI)—for example, schematics for a new missile guidance system—or for medical schools abiding by HIPAA privacy regulations. But research of all types is of value to the colleges and universities conducting it, and having it stolen can mean a loss of revenue and the exploitation of private data. To solve the problem, higher education institutions must strike the correct balance between collaboration and protection. Fortunately, security protocols and software are keeping pace with the escalating attacks, and institutions do not have to work alone in facing the task of safeguarding their cooperative research.
The Risks of Sharing As noted, there are many benefits for colleges and universities that join forces to conduct research, but this collaboration requires substantial planning and forethought...
An Example of Security
While methods involved in research differ from the typical teacher-student learning model, other aspects of academia can impart useful lessons in successfully handling data security...
Conclusion
The tradition of sharing research and information for the betterment of all parties and for humanity at large is deeply embedded in the academic world. The many benefits include higher rates of publication for research papers and the development of new courses, not to mention the goodwill built between what would otherwise be teams of competitors.Footnote6 With an unceasing deluge of cyberthreats from home and abroad, however, colleges and universities need to strike a working balance between what and how much they share and what and how much they restrict. Rules must be set and enforced, new policies must be made widely known, and a thorough examination of the data infrastructure of each institution must be conducted.
Source: EDUCAUSE Review
