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Category: IT and Cybersecurity

JCORE Publishes Report on Research Security, White House Issues Accompanying Memo

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The National Science and Technology Council Joint Committee on the Research Environment, Subcommittee on Research Security released its final report Recommended Practices for Strengthening the Security and Integrity of America’s Science and Technology Research Enterprise. The report is developed by the Subcommittee, in coordination with the National Security Council, and aims to protect US research integrity and the R&D enterprise.

The document outlines several recommended practices for research organizations based on the following high-level objectives:

Demonstrate organizational leadership and oversight;
Establish an expectation of openness and transparency;
Provide and share training, support, and information;
Ensure effective mechanisms for compliance with organizational policies; and
Manage potential risks associated with collaborations and data.

The full report is available here. In addition, the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, available here, outlining guidance for agencies to implement best practices.  A fact sheet on the memo is available here.

Dept. of Education Unveils New Foreign Gift Reporting Portal

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Today, the US Department of Education announced a new portal through which institutions must disclose foreign gifts or contracts under section 117 of the Higher Education Act. The portal will be utilized for the next reporting deadline of July 31, 2020.

In a press release, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos explained that currently, the Department is not receiving sufficient information to determine compliance with section 117. She also reiterated that transparency is necessary to ensure academic freedom and US national security.

Trump First Day Agenda

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President-elect Trump posted a 2 minute 37 second video on You Tube, which is the first time he’s addressed the American people directly since the election.

Mr. Trump’s video included six calls for action on trade, immigration, energy, regulatory curbs, national security (specifically cyber infrastructure), and lobbying ethics changes, most of which have already been announced either during the campaign or the transition period.

Of note, Trump did not mention action on the Affordable Care Act, his proposed wall along the southern border, the tax code, or the Iran nuclear deal, all of which were central arguments for his election.

See the video here or below.

OSTP Internship

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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is currently accepting applications for its Fall Policy Internship Program.  The application deadline is June 17, 2016.  Students who are U.S. citizens and who will be enrolled in, or have just graduated from, an academic program should feel free to apply.

More information and application instructions are available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/about/student.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government.

Interns are accepted for one of three annual terms (Spring, Summer, or Fall), which each last no more than 90 days. The assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience, and networking opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.

Library of Congress Changes Copyright

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This morning, the Copyright Office announced the widely anticipated results of its sixth triennial process for exemptions to intellectual property law – making potentially controversial judgments on whether hackers, researchers and ordinary consumers can tinker with products ranging from iPads to cars.

Under Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Librarian of Congress, with the guidance of the Copyright Office, has power to grant exemptions every three years for restrictions against consumers breaking software protections.

The Librarian’s decisions on all 27 proposed exemptions can be found here.