Now available at the AAF: updated Policy Development Toolkit to support trust and security between research partners

Collaboration is key in achieving high impact research outcomes, but trust and security must be in place when multiple organisations share infrastructure, data and services.

Supporting the development of a seamlessly connected and cyber-secure national research ecosystem, the Australian Access Federation (AAF) is committed to supporting trust and security between research partners, with a Policy Development Kit (PDK) now available in updated form (version 1.5).

The AAF, as the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funded Trust and Identity capability, has partnered with national research infrastructures to create a policy kit for a more connected research ecosystem.

"The PDK is a suite of guiding policy documents designed to make collaboration easier, safer and more consistent," says Keith Brophy, AAF Portfolio Manager.

"The PDK sets clear expectations for identity management, privacy and security, helping research communities work together with trust and confidence."

"Whether beginning new collaborations or strengthening existing ones, researchers will find value in the PDK," Keith explains.

The PDK is free to use and available on AAF's website. The nine documents in the kit are offered as a guide for organisations in collaborative partnerships.

"Each collaborative relationship is different, with policy needs varying according to which organisations are involved, where they are based, and what their goals are," says Ayana Menorca, AAF Policy Analyst.

"We provide the kit so that collaborations can adapt it to meet their own context, legislative obligations and identity requirements."

The PDK is designed to be modular and non-prescriptive, offering a flexible blueprint that collaborations can build on. This means it can complement existing policies while providing a clear structure to enhance trust, security, and consistency.

The PDK ensures collaboration partners can establish a foundation built on trust, with common policies reducing friction and building confidence. Any future risks and incident response plans can be identified and documented ahead of time.

Adapted for specific working relationships, the PDK ensures collaborations function efficiently for high impact, with streamlined decision-making, consistency across services and less duplication.

Developed by the AAF led Trust and Identity Policy Working Group, and comprised of representatives from across Australia's research infrastructures and institutions, the PDK was adapted from an equivalent document produced by Europe's AARC (Authentication and Authorisation for Research and Collaboration), with refinements made to suit Australian infrastructure and research needs.

"Collaboration between organisations and infrastructure is vital for innovation in Australia, but we must protect against risks such as global cyber incidents," says AAF Portfolio Manager Keith.

"AAF's PDK supports research communities in applying best-practice security and governance to protect data and infrastructure."

View and download the latest version of the PDK on AAF's website: Policy Development Kit for Research Collaborations.

For more information, or to receive editable PDF versions of the documents, please complete our CONTACT US form.

This initiative is made possible through the support of the Australian Government via the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).