Cybersecurity issues in research: can higher education institutions keep up with research data security requirements?

Research is central to the mission of, and is a top strategic priority for, many higher education institutions.  Effective information technology (IT) and cybersecurity are essential for conducting research. A critical component to research is safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of research data. Additionally, sponsors, particularly federal agencies, are increasingly adding terms and conditions to research grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements related to IT and cybersecurity protection requirements.

Institutions are party to potentially hundreds, maybe thousands, of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and data use agreements related to research activities, many of which have data compliance requirements for handling, storing, and securing research data.

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