Shields Up: Ensuring Digital Duty of Care for Myanmar Researchers

This paper shows how our Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan (RAMP) helped protect researchers in Myanmar facing digital surveillance, censorship, and violence. Developed by DigiSec Lab, RAMP offers practical tools and training to build digital security into every stage of research. Since 2023, we’ve deployed it in 27 projects supported by The SecDev Foundation through IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar initiative.

Drawing on survey data, RAMP submissions, and five case studies, the study finds clear gains. Researchers learned to spot digital risks, communicate more safely, store data more securely, and better protect participants. While researchers avoided major security incidents, challenges remain—especially around digital literacy, adapting support to each project, and simplifying the RAMP process.

One thing is clear: digital safety can’t be left to individuals. Funders working in conflict or authoritarian contexts have a duty of care. They must provide structured, ongoing digital protection. The Myanmar case proves this can be done—and should be standard practice, not a bonus feature.

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Listen to a podcast featuring DigiSec Lab team members on digital risks in Myanmar and the RAMP experience:

This study is part of the Myanmar Digital Research series published by Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) with support from International Development Research Centre and The SecDev Foundation.