Damaging and dangerous: espionage and proliferation in the academic community

The pooling of knowledge across borders, international collaboration and mobility of students and scientists are vital for universities and research institutes. Although knowledge transfer and openness are positive aspects of the academic community, there is a flip side to the coin: institutions with a strong international orientation that specialise in natural sciences and technology are particularly attractive targets for information gathering by foreign intelligence agencies. Their activities are extremely diverse and range from requests for research collaborations or laboratory visits, to commissions for expert opinions and funding for study programmes or scholarships. The hidden purpose could well be espionage and proliferation.

Espionage and proliferation

The term “espionage” refers to the illegal activities of intelligence agencies in gathering information and data from sensitive areas such as politics, business, the military, science and technology. Particularly attractive academic disciplines include robotics, innovative materials and nanotechnologies. “Proliferation” is understood to mean the widespread use of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems (ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic aircraft and drones), as well as the procurement and widespread use of equipment, materials and technologies for manufacturing these weapons (“dual-use goods”).

Important government programme to raise awareness

Activities by foreign agencies therefore result in the illegal transfer of intellectual property, know-how and technologies – to the detriment of Switzerland as a research location and the country in general. The Technopol programme launched by the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS) thus focuses on raising awareness of the problem in higher education institutions and research institutes in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The aim of the initiative, which ETH Zurich welcomes, is to make the academic community aware of the problem of espionage and proliferation, and offer support in implementing protective measures.

Export and goods control legislation

One of the most important tasks is to embed knowledge of existing export and goods control laws in the institutions themselves. It is lawmakers who ultimately specify which material and immaterial goods – including technologies, goods and software – need rigorous scrutiny if destined for export. Compliance with the relevant legislation therefore helps ensure that any transfer initiated by a foreign intelligence agency is blocked in time. At ETH Zurich, the relevant expertise is concentrated in the Export Control office within Financial Services, and in International Affairs (see infobox).