Responsible research and peaceful life

Export control includes sets of measures ensuring the regulatory implementation of the procedure for carrying out foreign economic activity, including "sensitive" products and technology. Some difficulties arise during the export control of intangible technology, i.e. knowledge related to controlled goods and technologies. The development of global computer networks has made it easier to exchange goods and information. The widespread use of low-cost computers and communication devices increases the flow of information transmitted, the control of which poses the most severe problems in export control, especially intangible assets. In this context, universities and research institutes are so-called frontmen, as universities and research institutes are open for new collaborations, new research projects, sharing information with other stakeholders, and student exchange programmes. However, at the same time, they have been targeted by illicit technology transfer efforts from threat actors, and each time theft or problematic transfer takes place, it places the university at risk and endangers the host nation's security. Dual-use dilemmas come out when the same result of the research can be used “dual”: for peaceful aims or military ones. Basic research, as well as more applied technologies, fall within category of dual-use. Therefore, the topic of technology control mechanisms in research settings is rising on government agendas worldwide.