their end, and I think it’s going to take a whole-of-society response by us. . (5) Russia has also attempted to exploit the openness of our university system for intelligence purposes. In 2012, for instance, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) tasked an undercover officer at Columbia University with recruiting classmates or professors who might have access to sensitive information. (6) Iran poses a similar threat. In 2012, President Barack Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–158 ), which prohibited issuance of a student visa to any Iranian who wished to pursue coursework in preparation for a career in the Iranian energy, nuclear science, or nuclear engineering sectors, or related fields. (7) The United States recognizes the great value of appropriate openness and the security need of striking a balance with asset protection. (8) However, technology and information that could be deemed sensitive to the national security interests of the United States should be given increased scrutiny to determine if access should be restricted in a research environment. (9) An open federally funded research environment exposes the United States to the possibility of exchanging research affiliated with current or future critical military technological systems. (10) This Act preserves the openness of America’s higher education system, while preventing adversaries from exploiting that very system in furtherance of their own repressive agendas. 3. Task force and sensitive research project designation (a) Task force established Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall establish the National Security Technology Task Force (hereinafter referred to as the Task Force ) to address the threat of espionage, targeting research and development at institutions of higher education that is funded in part or whole by any