Send Us Your Feedback on the Proposed Research Cybersecurity Guidelines

National Research Policy Guidelines have been developed as part of a Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) involving federal and institutional representatives, and through this partnership we have been asked to provide feedback on behalf of our institution. If your role involves research, IT security, compliance, administration, federal agency representation, or policy and legal expertise, we kindly ask that you read the proposed policy and email us with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. The OIT Information Security Office will compile the responses and share them with the FDP. Early feedback gives you a voice before policies are locked in.

Here Are the Steps You Can Take

1. Learn more about this initiative by visiting the UT Knoxville Employee Hub.
   (UTK employees can sign in with their university credentials).
2. Access the Proposed Research Cybersecurity Guidelines (General Review Draft). 
3. Following your review, please submit feedback and comments to security@tennessee.edu.
4. Feedback is due by Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Why You’d Want to Provide Feedback

• Shape national research policy: The Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) is a collaboration between federal agencies, universities, and research institutions. Your input helps refine cybersecurity guidelines that could directly affect how federally funded research is conducted and secured.
• Ensure practicality: Draft guidelines often look good on paper but may be difficult to implement in real-world research settings. Feedback ensures they’re workable for institutions, researchers, and IT staff.
• Protect sensitive data: Cybersecurity in research involves safeguarding intellectual property, personal data, and federally funded project information. By providing feedback, you help strengthen protections while avoiding unnecessary administrative burden.
• Influence compliance standards: Once finalized, these guidelines may become part of compliance requirements for federal grants.

Who Should Provide Feedback

• University and research institution staff: It’s essential that IT security officers, compliance officers, and administrators who will implement these guidelines understand and respond to these guidelines.
• Faculty and researchers: Provide your perspective by highlighting how the guidelines impact your day-to-day research activities.
• Federal agency representatives: Ensure policies align with agency security requirements.
• Policy and legal experts: Help us flag regulatory or contractual implications.
• Anyone in the research enterprise: Provide your broad perspectives to assist the FDP’s overall mission to reduce administrative burden while maintaining accountability.

Please submit questions, feedback, and comments to security@tennessee.edu by October 14, 2025.
Share this link with your colleagues, https://oit.utk.edu/news/we-need-your-feedback/