German politicians propose new research security measures

Following concerns regarding cooperation between the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security and researchers with ties to Chinese military-linked universities, German political parties SPD and CDU/CSU are proposing new measures to enhance research security.

The SPD has suggested creating a technology list for sensitive research areas. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU is calling for compliance systems, annual security assessments, stricter visa regulations, and linking federal funding to the protection of sensitive knowledge. Scientific organizations have been given until the end of the year to establish binding rules for cooperation with non-EU states, or the federal government may implement its own mandates.

Validato AG, a specialist in background screening, has noted a gap in these proposals. While the plans address organizations and funding, the company argues they lack a systematic procedure for vetting the individuals and partners who have access to sensitive research. Reto Marti, Managing Partner at Validato, stated that “knowledge does not flow through organizational charts, but through people and their networks,” emphasizing the need to identify connections to military or intelligence services early on.