RUSI: Securing Innovation in an Epoch of Geopolitical Competition

The defence and security think tank RUSI today published a commentary on secure innovation that was co-authored by Secured’s head of research.

In the commentary, authors Neil Ashdown and Natasha Buckley write:

Amid great power competition over technology, states such as the UK are seeking to protect the ecosystems that drive innovation in a growing range of technologies. However, developing security capability and culture within organisations that are unfamiliar with national security concerns is challenging.

The piece explores the threat facing organisations involved in research and innovation into cutting-edge technologies of strategic signifiance. As the piece argues, a growing range of organisations are now working in areas that are relevant to geopolitical competition.

The range of technologies and companies considered relevant to national security, and therefore falling under the scope of UK government efforts to counter threats, is expanding. Many organisations innovating in emerging technologies, which are often small startups and spinouts, are unfamiliar with security…

Other organisations will encounter cultural challenges as they seek to strengthen their security. Academic research, for example, has a culture of openness and exchange that is in tension with the requirements of protective security. Navigating these tensions in a sensitive and nuanced way is key to delivering greater security for research and innovation.

You can read the entire commentary on the RUSI website. Alternatively, if you would like to get in touch directly, you can do so via hello@secured-research.com.