At the heart of what we do is the drive to understand. We seek to ask the right questions, dig deep, and chart new paths for those engaging in secure research.

Industry Intelligence = Optimized Organizations

Today the strategic partnerships that sponsor secure research are mired in inefficiency and misunderstanding.

Burdened by inflated security frameworks, complex contracts, and the types of workforce deficiencies common in rapidly evolving industries, organizations are struggling to keep pace with advancing cyber compliance requirements.

Even when compliance requirements are met, many organizations stagnate and fail to leverage their investments in secure research to their full strategic and competitive advantage.

Seeking answers

Without industry benchmarks, it becomes increasingly difficult for executives and senior directors to identify the operational and organizational gaps necessary to drive cyber compliance improvements.

Moreover, when industries cleave to their value systems, lobbing compliance and contracting requirements over the wall without consideration for where they land, cross-sector efficiencies and opportunities become difficult if not impossible to identify and nurture.

By working with industry, academic and government partners, we seek to illuminate the challenges and opportunities of the emerging intersectoral secure research landscape to identify leading practices across industries.


Intesectoral Intelligence & Analysis

Our research portfolio explores the challenges and opportunities that arise from large scale restricted and regulated research collaborations at the convergence of industry, academia, and government. We focus on delivering timely, high value and rigorously researched products and services for our partners and clients.

Methods

Industry and Organizational Benchmarking

Survey Research

Policy & Economic Analysis

Performance and Operations Measurement

Cost Analysis

Value Systems Evaluation

Topics

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

Secure Research and Collaboration at Scale

Critical Infrastructure

Public-Private Partnerships & Sponsored Research

Ethics & Innovation

Bulk Sensitive Personal Data


Policy & Strategy

We work to address the complexities of the secure research sector by partnering with leaders and stakeholders to sponsor and develop policy, strategies, frameworks and legislative efforts. By analyzing the structural, regulatory, and operational dynamics at play, we guide decision-makers with frameworks to enhance collaboration, streamline processes, and uphold the shared values critical to advancing restricted and regulated research.

Focus Areas

Restricted Research Governance and Sponsorship

Grant Making and Sponsored Research

Government and State Relations

Local Policy Analysis and Alignment

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Legal and Regulatory Landscape


Workforce Development

We work to identify workforce trends, address skills gaps, and foster collaboration across industry, academia, and government, ensuring a well-prepared and resilient talent pipeline for the future. By offering targeted training programs, developing professional certifications, and leading capacity-building initiatives, we equip individuals and organizations with the tools they need to excel in restricted and regulated research.

Developing Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Education, Awareness & Literacy

Professional Development

Leadership Development

Compensation Analysis

Recruitment, Retention and Promotion

Capacity and Capability Building


Stakeholder Engagement & Advising

Though primarily a research organization, to advance our mission we sometimes engage in mutual value partnerships with organizations that are involved in restricted and regulated research. These collaborations subsidize our mission and yield shared benefits that typically require a lower investment than traditional consulting.

Cyber Compliance Excellence

Top Secret and Classified (NISPOM, OPSEC, DoD 5220.22-M)

Export Control (ITAR/EAR)

Controlled Unclassified Information (CMMC, CUI & FCI)

Cybersecurity Frameworks (NIST SP 800-53 & NIST SP 800-171)

Regulatory and Industry standards (HIPAA, FERPA & GLBA)

Privacy (GDPR, PIPL & CCPA and other State Privacy Laws)

Informed Contract Negotiation

FAR & Federal Acquisition Supplements

Data Use & Data Protection Agreements

Performance Management

Uniform Guidance

Conflict Mediation and Resolution

Standard Frameworks & Agency Intelligence

Proactive Risk Management

Data Governance

Data Classification, Data Cataloging, and Data Loss Prevention

Minimum Security Standards

Service and Compliance Catalog

Institutional Review Board (IRB) & Human Subjects Research (HRB)

Staff and Workforce Development


Operations Management & Planning

Large-scale research collaborations involving multiple campuses, labs, facilities, and personnel often face challenges in aligning with research security requirements, whether in planning, execution, or science phases. Addressing these complexities requires clear strategies, robust coordination, and tailored solutions to ensure success.

Outsourcing

Pre-Ops & Pre-Award Planning

Security Management Plan

System Security & Technology Planning

Operational and Organizational Excellence

Multi-Site Risk Assessment & Multi-System Security

Communication, Publication & Dissemination Strategy

Something else entirely?

Cur Adv Vult

Curia Advisari Vult—Latin for “the court wishes to be advised”—is a reminder that sometimes, even when flush with information and expertise, a thoughtful pause and deeper understanding are necessary for organizations to make the right decision.

In today’s complex research and compliance landscape, research executives and investigators often face intricate challenges that require not just swift action, but informed deliberation. By gathering the right insights, aligning expertise, and taking the time to assess risks and opportunities, organizations can move forward confidently—secure in their decisions and their impact on innovation, collaboration, and security.