Knowledge security

International cooperation and attracting scientific talent from around the world are essential for both the scientific progress and the impact for a sustainable society that TU Delft aims to achieve. On the other hand, open exchange of knowledge can also carry risks in terms of knowledge security. Global political developments have led to legitimate concerns about these risks, both within society and within our university. Careful consideration of these risks against the opportunities offered by international collaborations is necessary. 

Knowledge security is about preventing the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology, since this can threaten our national security. It is also about preventing covert influence on education and research. Unwanted influence can affect our academic freedom and scientific integrity. Ethical issues also play a role when cooperating with individuals or organisations from countries where fundamental human rights are not respected. Think, for instance, of technology used in these countries to oppress their own citizens. With knowledge security, we want to ensure that our scientists can do their work safely, without interference in the research process.  

Knowledge security at TU Delft

TU Delft's approach focuses on understanding and mitigating risks. Our knowledge security policy is based on Dutch and European legislation and the National knowledge security guidelines. 

In recent years, we have already made great progress in our approach to knowledge security. A central knowledge security advisory team has been set up and decentralised knowledge security coordinators act as first-line contact points for faculties and QuTech. Several knowledge security tools have been developed, including a compact internal guidance tool that allows staff to check whether a particular collaboration is permissible and/or desirable. Alongside this is a set of partnering tools with guidelines, tips and checklists for international cooperation.  

In addition to providing advice, the TU-wide central advisory process also monitors the advice given and its follow-up. We have also identified where knowledge security risks may occur in the organisation. Furthermore, we are working to strengthen knowledge within the organisation about the components, processes or infrastructures that affect knowledge security, such as recruitment and selection, procurement and contract research. With regard to ethical issues, we carried out a pilot in which moral research was conducted on decisions about international cooperation and knowledge security. For a report on this pilot, see Governance & Integrity International's publication ‘Knowledge security, a moral enquiry’. 

We are not working on knowledge security just by ourselves, but together with other knowledge institutes and partners. Through national and international networks we share knowledge and materials and develop insights. We also organise symposia on knowledge security issues.