The paper on key points for strengthening research security and establishing a National Platform for Research Security in Germany aims to protect academic freedom while safeguarding research, cooperation and critical infrastructure from undesirable knowledge leakage, undue influence and security risks.
Key elements of the document are the concept of tiered responsibility and the establishment of a National Platform for Research Security, which will act as a coordination and advisory body, systematically analyse risks and support scientific actors in evaluating collaborations and partners. This platform is intended to provide research institutions with guidance on security-related decisions and, in the long term, promote a resilient, open and secure scientific environment. Through an integrated approach involving politics, scientific organisations and federal states, common standards, risk analysis processes and recommendations for action will be established in order to strengthen Germany’s position in international research networks without restricting the openness of science.