In today's digital age, safeguarding sensitive information is tougher than ever. Stories of breaches, stolen secrets, and lives disrupted by cyber-crime are all too common. With personal data, intellectual property, and national defense secrets at risk, academic research has become a prime target for cyber criminals. Evaluating the security posture of research environments is essential but often overlooked due to a lack of awareness or fear of added complexity. A Security Threat Risk Assessment (STRA) is a practical tool that helps identify and mitigate potential cybersecurity risks from the beginning of a research project, preventing disruptions and ensuring the integrity of academic research.

This presentation, derived from real-world case studies of a cybersecurity professional’s journey supporting researchers, is designed for higher education leaders, researchers, and research support professionals with a foundational understanding of technology risks, looking to deepen their knowledge in the context of academic research, and gain insights about the implementation of a STRA service. Key topics will include: What are STRAs and their importance, Differences between research-focused and enterprise-focused STRAs, Challenges faced by researchers during STRAs, The benefits of STRAs on academic research and the academic community, Institutional support strategies for STRAs in research, and the future of STRAs in the evolving digital landscape.

By the end of this presentation, participants will gain a comprehensive perspective on how STRAs can impact the broader field of cybersecurity in academia and contribute to global efforts in securing research environments.

Authors:
Luc Letarte, The University of British Columbia, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Luc Letarte is a Research Cybersecurity and Compliance Specialist at The University of British Columbia. His expertise focuses on safeguarding digital research environments by promoting good cybersecurity, privacy and risk management practices.

Connect on Linkedin
https://linkedin.com/in/lucletarte

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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