Supporting secure, responsible and high-quality research
Swinburne University of Technology is committed to enabling safe, secure and collaborative research that delivers real-world impact for society.
Our research is underpinned by strong principles of integrity, ethics and responsibility, ensuring that knowledge is created and shared with care and trust. At the same time, we foster deep collaboration, both locally and internationally, recognising that global partnerships are critical to tackling complex challenges. By embedding robust security, governance and ethical practices, Swinburne ensures its research remains trusted, responsible and impactful in an increasingly connected world.
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Our approach to research security
At Swinburne University of Technology, research security is fundamental to protecting academic freedom, safeguarding our people and partnerships, and ensuring our research benefits society while aligning with Australia’s national interests.
We take a proportionate, risk-based approach that supports open international collaboration while managing risks associated with foreign interference and the misuse of sensitive research.
Research security at Swinburne applies across all disciplines and partnership types. It is embedded in how we design, approve and conduct research, train our staff and students, and engage with domestic and international collaborators.
To safeguard our research environment, we have established a suite of protocols and practices that support secure, ethical and compliant research activities across the university.
Alignment with national frameworks and laws
Swinburne’s approach to research security is aligned with Australian Government frameworks and regulatory requirements, including:
- Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce (UFIT) Guidelines
- Australian Research Council (ARC) integrity and disclosure requirements
- Defence export controls and sanctions legislation
- The List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest
- Relevant requirements of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme
These frameworks collectively shape how risks are assessed and managed across research, higher degree by research (HDR) projects, and research partnerships.
Our proportionate, risk-based approach
Consistent with national guidelines, Swinburne applies controls that are proportionate to risk, recognising that not all research carries the same level of sensitivity.
Higher-risk activities—such as those involving critical technologies, sanctioned countries, defence-related research or sensitive data—are subject to additional scrutiny and escalation. Lower-risk research proceeds with minimal administrative burden.
This approach enables Swinburne to remain globally connected and collaborative, while maintaining robust safeguards where they are required.
How risks are identified and managed
Swinburne applies a risk-based approach to identifying and managing research security risks across research students, staff and collaborative partnerships.
These measures are applied consistently but flexibly, recognising differences in discipline, project scale and geopolitical context.
Research students
- Pre-offer risk checks for HDR candidates in sensitive research areas.
- Ongoing assessment if project scope, access or technology changes during candidature.
Researchers and staff
- Mandatory annual declarations covering affiliations, foreign income and relationships.
- Targeted guidance and training on research security obligations.
- Review of visiting and adjunct researcher arrangements, particularly for sensitive fields.
Partnerships and collaborations
- Due diligence on international partners and collaborators.
- Risk assessment for sanctions, export controls and dual use concerns.
- Escalation pathways for higher-risk proposals.
Cybersecurity
Swinburne places a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and is committed to training and protecting its community against cyber threats. This is supported by a proactive monitoring approach, along with ongoing intelligence sharing with the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the broader university sector.
Examples of cyber threats include:
- security issues with Swinburne websites, systems or data stores
- suspicious emails, phishing scams or other unsolicited messages
- suspicious software, spyware or malware on devices
- data breaches or leakage of personal information.
Swinburne enforces cybersecurity through strict IT acceptable use guidelines, including mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for system access and the requirement to report all security incidents.
These measures are designed to protect personal information, monitor system usage, and prevent unauthorised software or malicious activity, ensuring that Swinburne’s digital environments remain secure.
Supporting information
Research security at Swinburne is supported by clear governance and accountability structures. This includes:
- central coordination through Swinburne Research and specialist security roles
- defined escalation pathways for higher-risk proposals
- regular reporting and oversight at senior leadership and governance committee levels.
Research security is treated as a shared responsibility, with individual accountability supported by institutional systems, expertise and leadership oversight.
To strengthen capability, Swinburne uses specialist tools, including Dimensions Research Security, to support risk screening and awareness.
Enhanced training and communications help build staff and student awareness, while continuous monitoring of legislative and policy developments ensures our approach remains current.
Swinburne regularly reviews its arrangements to respond to emerging risks, changes in government requirements, and lessons learned from practice.
Research security at Swinburne is not about restricting collaboration—it is about supporting responsible, transparent and ethical research partnerships.
By embedding security considerations into standard research processes, Swinburne supports researchers to:
- collaborate confidently with international partners
- protect themselves and their work
- meet funding and regulatory obligations
- contribute to Australia’s research excellence and global engagement.
This balanced approach ensures Swinburne remains a trusted research partner—nationally and globally.
Need advice on research security?
If you have any questions about Swinburne’s Research Security, please contact our research security team at researchsecurity@swinburne.edu.au.