The Leading Resource for Securing the Research Enterprise
The RISC Institute is dedicated to protecting the strengths of our academic and industrial research communities while promoting forward-thinking, innovative approaches to research security.
RISC: SERVING TEXAS, THE NATION, AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The RISC Institute leverages strengths of The Texas A&M University System’s existing research security program leadership, external partner capabilities, and compliance tools to focus on:
We are dedicated to protecting academic research communities.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Train a new generation of research security
professionals and provide continuing education.
- Bush School of Government and Public Service
- Research Security Graduate Certificate(AY2026)
- Executive Master of Public Service & Administration Degree – Research Security Track (AY 2027)
- Ph.D. with Public Service/Research Security Focus (Aspirational)
- Research Security Professional Certification
- Awareness & Training
- Due Diligence Best Practices
- Research Security for Executive Leadership
SERVICE
Assist institutions currently lacking resources to create effective, due-diligence programs and provide a source of expertise to the research security workforce.
- Academic Security & Exploitation (ASCE) Annual Training Seminar (in 10th year)
- Critical & Emerging Technology Protection Program (CETPP)
- University Research Security Professionals Association (URSPA)
- Weekly Open-Source Media Summary
- National Science Foundation (NSF) SECURE
Analytics ($17.5M over five years) - NSF SECURE Southwest Regional Center in
collaboration with Colorado State
University ($2.1M over 5 years)
OUTREACH
Build deeper affiliations within academic, corporate and government communities to ensure relevancy and enhance research outcomes.
- State of Texas
- Various Research Security Bills
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Workforce Development for Research Security
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Building Partnerships
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of State/CRDF Global
- International Programs in Research Security
RESEARCH
Analyze current processes and study changing risk factors to reduce the likelihood and/or impact of information theft and misappropriation.
- National Science Foundation
- Research Security Training for the U.S.: The Importance of Disclosure
- Partnership with Finch AI
- Further develop tools and approaches that protect the strength of the global academic and industrial research communities
- Promote risk management
ENHANCING RESEARCH SECURITY
Objectives for Research and Innovation Security and Competitiveness
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Develop Training Programs
Develop awareness, training, and educational programs necessary to build a workforce with technical expertise and experience focused on integrating security into every aspect of business and academic culture.
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Be a technical resource
Serve the nation as the technical resource for establishing, managing, and assessing the research security programs and policies fundamental to maintaining national security and economic competitiveness.
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Be a Leader
Lead the national and international community in outreach necessary for securing the academic and industrial research enterprise.
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Analyze and Assess
Analyze and assess the research security implications of critical and emerging technologies.
