The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is committed to complying with federal requirements for safeguarding critical and emerging technology research and controlled unclassified information (CUI). For more information please contact the Academic Research Security Officer, Conor Wakeman, at conor@utdallas.edu or 972-883-4718.

UT Dallas has established the Research Security and Ethics program in preparation for the implementation of the research security program requirements of National Security Presidential Memorandum 33.  The RSE program is responsible for leading institutional efforts to safeguard data, intellectual property, and technology supporting federally funded activities, including critical and emerging technology research performed at UT Dallas.

The RSE program serves as the point of contact for implementing management plans for safeguarding fundamental critical and emerging technology research that may generate export-controlled technology and other unclassified national security information. Such management research incorporate security and ethics controls to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the research data and information, and prevent un-authorized or exploitative use of the research technology.

UT Dallas researchers and employees engaged in critical and emerging technology research are responsible for:

1. completing export control training and reporting possible export-controlled technology to an Export Control Officer;
2. requesting an export control evaluation for foreign components, sponsors, collaborators, and subcontractors contributing to their federally funded research;
3. following university procedures for managing visitors, engaging in international travel, and reporting external appointments and positions;
4. writing and using a data management plan, as required by the project sponsor;
5. reporting intellectual property to the UT Dallas Office of Technology Commercialization; and,
6. complying with federal research reporting requirements concerning the external resources supporting their research.

UT Dallas is committed to the proper safeguarding of controlled unclassified information stored in information systems managed by the university. The university maintains institutional policies and procedures regarding the protection of university data, information, and research subject to ethical, legal, contractual, and security requirements. Federally funded research and development activities will be performed in compliance with incumbent policies and project system security plans (SSPs). Under the oversight of the Information Security Office, the Office of Research and Innovation manages the institutional NIST-compliant research data storage solution that is made available to research teams responsible for securing CUI.

The RSE program serves as the point of contact for ensuring compliance with CUI regulations, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). The Office of Research Information Systems and the Information Security Office collaborate with the RSE program to review, assess, validate, and monitor CUI system security plans for compliance with the NIST requirements.

UT Dallas researchers and employees with access to CUI are responsible for ensuring:

1. such information is protected according to applicable U.S. Government and contractual requirements;
2. that information is only disclosed to persons who are authorized to have access and who also have a need to know; and,
3. that they complete CUI training once every two years while performing research under an SSP.

UT Dallas will communicate and verify CUI compliance requirements with research and development subcontractors when CUI access is necessary for the performance of the subcontract as directed by the cognizant contracting officer.