MODULE CONTENTS
This module covers the importance of the strategic scientific and technical sectors protected by the Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PSTP). It explains how these sectors are identified according to their economic, military and security potential, and the specific measures put in place to protect them. Participants will also learn about the legal basis for protecting these areas, and how to reconcile security and research collaboration.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Protected areas and PPST
Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PPST) is not limited to general security measures. It also targets specific scientific and technical sectors that are crucial to the national interest. These protected sectors, identified for their strategic, military or economic potential, benefit from enhanced security measures to prevent leaks of sensitive information.
The fields concerned include advanced materials research, biotechnology and information technology, among others. The selection of these sectors is dynamic, evolving with technological advances and new threats. The legal framework governing the protection of these sectors, notably the decree of July 3, 2013, specifies the measures to be applied to guarantee their security.
Protection measures include strict access controls, rigorous information management and data sharing policies tailored to the sensitivity of projects. Companies, institutions and researchers involved in these sectors also benefit from specific training to reinforce their vigilance in the face of potential threats.
Despite this increased protection, PPST is not intended to restrict scientific collaboration or isolate research. Its aim is to create a secure environment in which discoveries and innovations can flourish, while protecting the nation's strategic interests. Researchers learn how to maintain a balance between scientific openness and national security.
