Security in the field of research plays a crucial role – it enhances national competitiveness while creating the necessary conditions for reliable and sustainable international scientific collaboration, which is essential for the rapid advancement of modern technologies. To strengthen awareness of research security challenges and risk mitigation in the field of research security and critical technologies among scientific institutions, a seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Science on March 27 brought together representatives of national scientific institutions.
The event aimed to promote understanding of security requirements in scientific activities, identify key risk areas, and jointly develop requirements to be incorporated into the internal procedures of scientific institutions. Participants shared their experiences and agreed to continue cooperation by maintaining regular information exchange and involving stakeholders from both the private and defense sectors.
"Research security is not just about regulatory compliance – it forms a fundamental basis for the competitiveness and security of our country and the European Union, protecting our valuable intellectual assets and technologies while maintaining the prerequisites for reliable and sustainable international scientific cooperation. Without this, the development of modern technologies in a rapidly changing world would not be possible.
Ensuring security measures helps mitigate risks while preserving the openness of science and international collaboration," emphasized Lauma Sīka, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education and Science Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.
The seminar featured presentations on Council recommendations for strengthening research security, discussions on current challenges and possible solutions, as well as deliberations on implementing the principle of "as open as possible, as closed as necessary" in practice. Additionally, representatives of scientific institutions jointly defined the most critical aspects of research security at both institutional and national levels and planned future cooperation to establish a research security advisory network in Latvia.
The seminar and co-creation event were organized within the framework of the Ministry-administered ERDF project No. 1.1.1.1/1/24/I/001 “More Effective and Smarter Implementation and Management of Latvian Science Policy”. The event was held in collaboration with the University of Latvia.
