National Science Foundation's SECURE Analytics Initiative Enhances Research Security with Finch AI Partnership

Enhancing Research Security: NSF SECURE Analytics and Finch AI Partnership

In a significant stride towards improving research safety, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an exciting partnership with Finch AI. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the NSF's SECURE Analytics Initiative, which aims to fortify the security of the research ecosystem in the United States. With the addition of Finch AI's cutting-edge technology, the initiative aims to amplify the capabilities of its flagship platform, Argus.

The NSF SECURE Analytics Initiative was launched in July 2024 to provide the research community with comprehensive, data-driven insights. Its main goal is to enhance risk-informed due diligence within the research security framework. After a fruitful inaugural year, the SECURE Analytics team, led by Texas A&M University, is set to take its operations to the next level with Finch AI on board. Dr. Kevin Gamache, Principal Investigator and Director of NSF SECURE Analytics, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Finch AI has robust artificial intelligence capabilities and experience that will elevate the development of Argus as we move into year 2 of the project."

Finch AI brings an extensive portfolio of AI expertise to the table, focusing on transparency and trustworthiness in AI applications. Scott Lightner, Finch AI's Chief Scientist, highlighted the alignment between the company's AI approach and the SECURE mission. Finch AI's innovative technology encompasses novel natural language processing capabilities, a retrieval-augmented generation pipeline for complex queries, and AI agents designed to optimize workflows for security analysts. These advancements position Finch AI as a valuable ally in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of research security operations.

Throughout the previous year, NSF SECURE Analytics has actively engaged with various stakeholders from the academic, federal, and research communities, making presentations at numerous conferences and meetings. This approach aims to gather insights and feedback to refine the Argus platform continually. During notable events, like the 2025 Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASCE) Program at Texas A&M University, the team provided updates on the SECURE Program and introduced early demos of the Argus platform. This inclusion of feedback is crucial to the iterative development of the tool, ensuring it meets the needs of its diverse user base.

Recently, NSF SECURE Analytics released two key advisories to further benefit the academic and research community. The first advisory, titled "China Refocuses Its Science and Technology Ecosystem on Innovation and Security," was published in June 2025, followed by another advisory in September, "Iran's Science and Technology Ecosystem: A Primer for Research Security Professionals." These resources have been made available through partnership with the Texas A&M University System's Research and Innovation Security Competitiveness (RISC) Institute, which aims to disseminate valuable insights and reports on security concerns across the research landscape.

Looking ahead, the NSF SECURE Analytics Initiative plans to broaden the reach of the Argus platform by developing multiple versions tailored to serve various sectors of the research community, even beyond research security. This strategic expansion is vital for sustainable growth and fostering long-term relationships with stakeholders across the board. Furthermore, one of the goals includes ensuring that a basic, low-cost entry-level solution is available for the broader research community, with optional add-ons for those requiring additional features.

The academic community eagerly anticipates further developments from this partnership, especially with the upcoming Academic Security and Counter Exploitation Conference in College Station, scheduled for February 2026. This event will showcase the accomplishments of the first year alongside outlining plans for the future of the initiative and the Argus platform.

For those interested in more information about the NSF SECURE Analytics Initiative, further details can be found at https://secure-analytics.org and to explore Finch AI, visit www.finchai.com.