The document provides an update on several key initiatives and regulatory changes impacting research security and intellectual property management, primarily within the context of federally funded research in the United States. It outlines the ongoing redevelopment of the iEdison system, which simplifies compliance with federal invention reporting requirements, noting milestones such as stakeholder engagement, a planned operational launch in 2022, and efforts to modernize and clarify Bayh-Dole regulations without substantive legislative change. The summary also addresses new Department of Energy policies removing exemptions for foreign visits and collaborations, requiring heightened review and approval for participants from designated countries. In the area of cybersecurity, the Department of Defense has introduced the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a unified standard for contractors subject to a phased rollout, including third-party audits and cost considerations for different compliance levels, alongside existing requirements under FAR 52.204-21 for stringent information system controls.
Additional federal compliance issues covered include the National Defense Authorization Act’s restrictions on the use and procurement of equipment from manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE, emphasizing the need for institutions to identify and remediate prohibited technologies in their operations. The document highlights the evolving landscape of regulatory oversight in research environments, with increased expectations for administrative diligence, cyber-hardening, and foreign collaboration controls to safeguard research integrity and national interests.
