In recent years, the U.S. government (USG) has directed higher education institutions that conduct government-sponsored research to take specific, proactive steps to protect sensitive research data and intellectual property, and to improve appropriate security controls. As part of that effort, the USG and funding agencies have imposed security-related requirements for institutions like the University of South Carolina. These requirements are documented through a variety of laws and regulations, including the 2021 National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM)-33 and supporting NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance (pdf) issued in 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The University of South Carolina Office of Research Security (ORS) was established in 2024, in response to these USG requirements. Steve Schrimpf serves as USC’s Chief Research Security Officer (CRSO), overseeing implementation of research security program requirements across the research enterprise and coordinating with shared governance partners and critical stakeholders.
What we do
The ORS is proud to serve as an information resource and support hub for USC researchers. Reach out to us when you need:
- Help preparing for foreign travel through greater security/threat awareness and information security best practices.
- To report concerns about suspicious activity or a potential malign foreign talent recruitment program.
- Assistance with your questions about research security policies, procedures or practices.
- Help conducting due diligence and risk assessments for foreign collaborations.
