Former Canadian intelligence chief David Vigneault says foreign espionage is increasingly shifting toward private-sector research and innovation. He explained that companies developing sensitive technologies now face the same level of foreign attention once reserved for government institutions. This shift, he said, has changed the global security landscape dramatically.
According to Vigneault, China is leading the push to acquire new technologies developed in the West. He described their efforts as highly coordinated, involving both digital operations and human recruitment networks that specifically target academic and industrial researchers. These efforts aim to secure advantages in long-term state competition.
He added that many researchers and university staff do not fully understand how their work can be weaponised by foreign powers. Some individuals are approached due to financial incentives, ideological motivations or simple naivety. This makes academic spaces particularly vulnerable.
Vigneault said that China’s intense interest in Western research is closely tied to its ongoing efforts to upgrade its military capabilities. By acquiring cutting-edge technologies, Beijing aims to strengthen its asymmetric strategies and accelerate defence production.
He emphasized the need for improved protection across all research sectors. However, he warned that such measures must be implemented carefully to avoid any form of racial bias or unfair suspicion in academic environments.