Former intelligence chief David Vigneault says the academic world must adapt to a new era of foreign espionage. Innovation and research, once considered low-risk, have become major intelligence targets.
He said China has intensified its attempts to steal sensitive discoveries, using coordinated cyberattacks and insider recruitment. These operations target laboratories working on advanced technologies, including those with potential military applications.
According to Vigneault, some academics are recruited due to personal motivations, while others simply do not recognise the danger. Hostile governments often play on these vulnerabilities to gain strategic access.
China’s military is rapidly integrating stolen technologies into its development programs. Vigneault said this strategy allows Beijing to expand its capabilities faster than through domestic research alone.
He urged Western governments to support universities by offering guidance, resources and protective frameworks. But he also said that care must be taken to avoid unfair prejudice against students or staff from particular backgrounds.