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Research Security

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About Research Security at the University of Regina

As the University of Regina advances research excellence and innovation, protecting the integrity of our research has become increasingly important. In today’s evolving global research landscape, researchers may face risks related to data security, unintended knowledge transfer, foreign interference, and the protection of people, information, and intellectual property. 

Research Security at the University of Regina provides centralized, practical support to help researchers identify, assess, and manage these risks across the research lifecycle. Working collaboratively with Research Services, Information Security, Privacy and Access, Enterprise Risk Management, Policy offices, and other institutional partners, we support researchers in designing and implementing projects that are secure and compliant while respecting academic freedom and responsible research practice. 

Our support includes: 

  • Research security risk assessment guidance and project planning 
  • Partner due diligence and collaboration risk considerations 
  • Guidance on research security requirements linked to funding and sponsorship 
  • Data protection, secure information handling, and privacy compliance advice 
  • Travel security guidance and awareness 
  • Training and awareness sessions for research teams 
  • One-on-one consultations tailored to specific projects or concerns 
If you have any questions or would like to request a consultation, please contact us at research.security@uregina.ca 
More Research Security support and resources to be posted soon!

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Research Security Resources for Researchers

Research Security helps researchers identify and manage risks related to research partnerships, sensitive technologies, data, international activities, intellectual property, and other research activities. The resources below provide practical guidance and tools from the Government of Canada and other authoritative sources.
  • Safeguarding Your Research: A central Government of Canada resource for research security guidance, tools and training - Safeguarding Your Research
  • Research Partnerships: The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) provide guidance for identifying and managing potential research partnership risks - National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships
  • Sensitive Technologies and Affiliations: Review the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), including the Sensitive Technology Research Areas and Named Research Organizations - STRAC resources
  • Know Your Research Partner: Government of Canada guidance provides practical approaches for conducting open-source due diligence on prospective research partners - Open-Source Due Diligence Guidance
  • International Travel: Guidance for protecting research information, devices and intellectual property while travelling internationally - Research Travel Security Guide
  • Export Controls and Sanctions: Researchers working with sensitive technologies, equipment, software or international partners may need to consider Canadian export controls and sanctions - Canada's Export Controls and Canadian Sanctions List
  • Biosecurity: Researchers working with pathogens, toxins or other regulated biological materials can consult Public Health Agency of Canada biosecurity guidance - Biosecurity Risk Assessment Guidance
  • Drones and Research Equipment: Researchers considering drones or other connected research equipment are encouraged to contact The URegina Research Security Manager for guidance on security and supply-chain considerations.
Not sure where to start?
Contact The Research Security Manager at the University of Regina at alaa.dabboor@uregina.ca for guidance specific to your project.

Safeguarding Science Webinars – Fall 2026

Public Safety Canada's Research Security Centre is offering Safeguarding Science webinars in September, October, and early November 2026. The webinars are open to researchers, staff, students, research administrators, and others interested in research security.
More information and registration

Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA)

What is FITAA?
Canada's Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) came into effect on August 4, 2026. It requires individuals and organizations, including universities and researchers, to register certain arrangements involving foreign influence activities.

FITAA does not prohibit international research or collaboration. Working with foreign universities or receiving foreign funding does not automatically require registration.

When is registration required?

Registration is generally required when all three conditions are met:
  1. Foreign principal: An arrangement to act under the direction of, or in association with, a foreign government, state-controlled organization, or another person or organization acting for a foreign power.
  2. Influence activity: Communicating with Canadian public office holders, sharing information related to Canadian governmental or political processes, or providing money, services, facilities or other items of value.
  3. Canadian governmental or political process: Activities intended to influence Canadian laws, regulations, government policies, programs, funding or contract decisions, or elections at the federal, provincial, territorial or municipal level.
Arrangements can be written or verbal, including informal agreements. Some specific exemptions from registration are provided under the Act and regulations.
What does it mean for URegina?

FITAA may apply to research partnerships, foreign-funded projects, international agreements, donations or public events involving foreign principals. However, registration is not automatic and depends on meeting all three conditions above, subject to any applicable exemptions.

Examples:

Registration generally required: A researcher agrees with a foreign government agency to contact Saskatchewan government officials to influence provincial energy regulations.

Registration generally not required: A researcher collaborates with a foreign university or receives foreign funding for independent research, without an arrangement to influence Canadian government policies or decisions.

Further assessment needed: A researcher receives funding from a foreign government agency to study Canadian health policy and present findings to government officials. Registration depends on whether the arrangement is intended to influence government decisions.

These examples are for guidance only. Each arrangement must be assessed individually, including any applicable legal exclusions.

Registration deadlines

  • New arrangements: Within 14 calendar days.
  • Existing arrangements: The deadline for qualifying arrangements active before August 4, 2026, was October 3, 2026.
  • Changes: Update registered information within 14 calendar days.

Non-compliance: Failure to register, update information or providing false or misleading information may result in penalties ranging from $250 to $1 million, with violations publicly reported. Serious cases may also lead to criminal prosecution, including higher fines or imprisonment.

What should researchers do?

Researchers, faculty and staff should seek guidance early if they believe FITAA may apply.

For questions or potential registration concerns, please contact the Research Security Manager through research.security@uregina.ca or personally: alaa.dabboor@uregina.ca

Research Security can assist with initial screening and coordinate further review with the appropriate university offices. Registration remains the responsibility of the individual or organization entering into the arrangement.

Further details on URegina's compliance process will be shared once confirmed.

Government of Canada resources

This information is for general awareness and does not replace the Act, regulations or legal advice.

Weekly Security Newsline

November 2 - 6

This week covers Canada's new sanctions against Russia, military-linked research, cyberespionage targeting research and mobile devices, and growing international efforts to strengthen research security. It also highlights new opportunities in AI and supercomputing, along with the importance of protecting sensitive research and academic freedom
view full pdf

October 26 - 30

This week’s coverage includes Canadian research investments, faster AI-enabled cyberattacks, foreign influence concerns, and biological risks. International partnerships and competition for researchers also remain important. The stories raise questions about access to research systems, sensitive consulting work, technology dependence, and continued support for open collaboration.
view full pdf

October 19 - 23

This week’s coverage highlights investments in quantum computing, Arctic science, satellite navigation, and defense research. It also examines international partnerships, espionage, cybersecurity, research security oversight, academic freedom, national research infrastructure, and changing international student enrolment.
view full pdf

October 13 - 16

This week’s coverage highlights AI-related cybersecurity threats, targeted attacks on researchers, foreign interference, sanctions compliance, and research security screening. It also examines researcher affiliations and mobility, data sovereignty, confidential research information, institutional security, and international research funding.
view full pdf

October 5 - 9

his week’s coverage looks at international research partnerships, foreign influence, dual-use technologies, AI-related cybersecurity threats, and competition for research talent and funding. It also includes an update on the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA), clarifying when researchers and URegina may need to register. Other developments highlight technology transfer, academic mobility, and the protection of research infrastructure.
view full pdf

Previous Issues

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