Research Computing as a Service
Guidance on research in progress is offered by the Research Computing as a Service (RCaaS) team.
Data Storage for research in progress
When considering storage for research data, you need to consider where the data will reside while you are working on it and where it will be deposited for long-term storage once it is finalised.
Storage options during your project
It is recommended to use storage that is managed or contracted by the University wherever possible. The University’s recommended storage facilities also have options to help with collaborative working and sharing data with colleagues at the University and elsewhere.
For guidance on approved data storage, please see the RCaaS guide to storage for research in progress.
Sensitive data
If you are working with any data which is subject to data protection legislation or which requires ethical approval or is provided to you under a confidentiality agreement, you will need to select appropriate storage to meet those requirements. Please read IT’s guidance on Best Practices for Confidential Data and refer to the project initiation workflow for research involving personal data.
You may also want to look at the Open Research for restricted, sensitive or confidential data training course.
Backing up your data
IT Services performs regular backups of the University's centrally managed network file servers. Users of Standard Staff Desktop (SSD) and Common Student Computing Environment (CSCE) workstations will automatically be provided with access to a network file server.
You are responsible for backing up all other files. For more information, see UK Data Service’s Backup guidance.
Contracting out storage
It may be that your data needs are sufficiently unique that you want to make your own arrangements for storage in an external service like Arkivum. If this is the case, you should discuss your requirements with the RCaaS team.