Research Security Training

Building Awareness and Mitigating Risks in Research Security

NSPM-33 Directive: Agencies should require that, as part of their research security programs, research organizations provide training to relevant personnel on research security threat awareness and identification, including insider threat training where applicable. 

Under NSPM-33, federal agencies require research organizations to provide training to relevant personnel on research security threat awareness and identification, including insider threat training where applicable.

Federal research agencies also require institutions to certify that they have implemented a research security training program for all covered individuals. Training must address the unique needs, challenges, and risk profiles of participants, and institutions must ensure each covered individual completes the required training.

Federal Research Security Training

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Defense (DoD), offers online research security training for the research community.

This training provides recipients of federal research funding with:

• Knowledge of risks and threats to the global research ecosystem
• Tools to identify, manage, and mitigate risks
• Guidance for fostering secure and responsible international collaborations

The training consists of four modules, each with an accompanying Quick Reference Guide (QRG):

UMB Implementation

UMB will provide this research security training to comply with NSPM-33 Research Security Program requirements.

• ORD will partner with CITS and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) to integrate training into UMB’s learning management system for tracking, documentation, and reporting.
• ORD will consider adding UMB-specific content as appropriate to address local policies, procedures, and resources.