Research Security | International Engagement
Travel Security
UCalgary offers an International Travel Loaner Device Program to enhance your security when travelling overseas. The program offers short-term loaner devices which includes cell phones, laptops and encrypted USB’s for faculty, staff, post-doc and graduate students travelling internationally.
Why use the program?
- Travellers should expect their devices (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) to be openly examined and scrutinized by immigration officials and perhaps local law enforcement. They may be expected to give officials their password to unlock their devices or decrypt their data and failure to do so could result in their device being confiscated and possible detention or expulsion from the country.
- There are different laws and requirements in other countries. Some will not allow the import/export of some technology and the expectation of privacy differs.
- As the traveller is only taking University data that is required for their trip, it reduces the likelihood of having other data seized or stolen.
- There is no deductible assessed to the department if the device is confiscated by authorities or stolen, as long as the incident has been reported to Campus Security.
- Malware can be introduced to your devices through a variety of conduits including public wireless networks, public computer workstations and charging stations.
When to reach out?
If you are a researcher or employee at UCalgary and traveling internationally, register your travel at UCalgary International Travel Registration to access the Loaner Device Program. If you have any questions about travelling securely, please contact Research Security at researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca or call (403) 561-3206.
Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
A Foreign Talent Recruitment Program is an attempt by a foreign government to recruit researchers in the pursuit of national security objectives.
Foreign Talent Programs seek to acquire proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property from abroad. Talent programs typically contact researchers directly with an invitation to participate in the program regardless of their citizenship or country of origin.
Some talent programs are legitimate efforts by governments to attract and retain researchers working in high-priority fields by offering fellowships, grants, and in-kind support. However, there are also malign foreign talent recruitment programs that are organized, managed, or funded, by a government to acquire research or technology unethically and/or unlawfully.
A talent program may be malign if any of the following apply:
- You are asked to transfer your knowledge and/or expertise to a foreign country
- You are offered incentives to relocate or spend a significant amount of time in a foreign country
- You are asked to sign a contract that would create a conflict of interest and/or a conflict of commitment
- You are asked to recruit other talent program members
- You are asked to not disclose your participation in the talent program
The Government of Canada’s Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research requires researchers to disclose foreign affiliations and funding – including participation in foreign talent programs – when receiving federal grant funding. Canadian researchers receiving U.S. grant funding are also subject to American requirements prohibiting participation in malign foreign talent recruitment programs.
When to reach out?
If you suspect that you have been contacted by a Foreign Talent Recruitment Program, please reach out to researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca or call (403) 561-3206 for guidance on how to proceed. The Research Security Division will conduct a risk assessment to help you make an informed decision.
Learn more: Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs – What You Need to Know