Foreign interference is covert, corruptive, or coercive activity by a foreign state intended to influence institutions, people, or outcomes. It is broader than espionage: the goal may be to shape decisions, gain access, weaken trust, or steer research and policy without openly breaking in. In practice, the activity can look legitimate on the surface, such as funding, partnerships, lobbying, recruitment, or academic collaboration.
In cyber security, foreign interference matters because it can create indirect access to sensitive data, unpublished research, credentials, or trusted relationships. Universities and research labs are common targets because they handle intellectual property, specialist knowledge, and collaboration networks. The risk may include pressure on publication, collection of technical material, or gradual cultivation of insiders rather than malware or obvious intrusion. Defenses include vetting the ultimate funding source, reviewing foreign-linked partnerships, limiting unnecessary data access, and routing sensitive cases through research security and legal review.