Medium

OneDrive (institutional) with Encrypted Data

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Facet Matches
Medium
High
Active research
Backup
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Non-specific individuals with a shared link
Public
Laptop/Desktop computer
Mobile device
Under 100 GB
Service Paragraphs
Description

McMaster OneDrive is a file hosting service and synchronization service operated by Microsoft as part of its Office suite of software.

Medium and High risk data can be stored on the institutional OneDrive if it is manually encrypted. 

Security

OneDrive data is encrypted while in transit and at rest on OneDrive servers. Medium and High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to OneDrive.

Storage Available

Students and POI/affiliates are allocated 20 GB; employees are allocated 100 GB.

Cost

Free for all McMaster faculty, staff and students

File size limits

100 GB

Backup details

Ongoing real-time sync.
Unlimited version history.

Data hosting location

OneDrive and Teams data is stored in Canadian servers.

Sharing capabilities

Files and folders can be shared with other oneDrive users or groups, with differing levels of permissions. Files and folders can also be shared externally with links. Microsoft Office documents can be worked on collaboratively.

Example use case

Medium and High risk data can be stored online in Ondrive provided it has been encrypted, either file by file or using an encrypted virtual disk.

Website

McMaster OneDrive: https://office365.mcmaster.ca/office-365-3/applications/ms-onedrive/

Contact

OneDrive is administered by UTS

How to get started

McMaster users can login to office365.mcmaster.ca or office.ca with their MacID and password to access OneDrive online or download the desktop app.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal, desktop syncing integration for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Summary
Store sensitive data in encrypted files on OneDrive

MacDrive with Encrypted Data

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Medium
High
Active research
Backup
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Non-specific individuals with a shared link
Laptop/Desktop computer
Mobile device
Under 100 GB
100 GB to 1 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

MacDrive is a customized McMaster version of Seafile, which is an open source EFSS (Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing) solution, similar to Dropbox.  It allows people and teams to store files on a central server and access them via a web interface or client on a device. These can be desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. All copies are automatically synchronized whenever one of the copies is modified. Files are easily accessible, and can be quickly and securely shared.

Encryption must be used for high risk data.

 

Security

MacDrive 'Libraries' or folders can be encrypted online and locked with a password. Data downloaded to a device is stored unencrypted. High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to MacDrive.

Storage Available

300 GB is provided to employees. Researchers can request that collaborators be provided access in order to have the ability to see Researcher’s shares.  No storage is provided to them.

Cost

Free for current McMaster employees – faculty or staff.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Ongoing real-time sync. 4-month version history. Full Library restore through UTS.

Data hosting location

Replicated clusters in Gilmour Hall and JHE

Sharing capabilities

Files and folders can be shared with other MacDrive users or MacDrive groups, with differing levels of permissions. Files and folders can also be shared externally with links for download. Folders can be set up so that files can be uploaded by non-users.

Example use case

Medium and High risk data can be stored on MacDrive using encrypted folders or individually encrypted files or virtual drives. Research participants, interviewers, or data collecters can upload documents to an encrypted folder without having access to the rest of the folder's contents. 

Website

MacDrive: https://macdrive.mcmaster.ca/

Documentation: https://goo.gl/AvRGwx 

Contact

MacDrive is administered by UTS

How to get started

Current McMaster employees – faculty or staff –will generally be granted a MacDrive automatically, starting in the Spring / Summer 2018 academic term. If you are a current employee and were not granted a MacDrive account automatically, please go to the UTS Contact Us page to request access. 

This includes researchers affiliated through HHSC, Persons of Interest (POIs) and other individuals that may have been missed in the automatic enrollment process. Other potential users will also be able to access MacDrive upon request from a faculty or staff member. This can include student staff members, RAs, TAs, community members, collaborators, and anyone else with whom you need to share your data.

Researchers can request that their Grad students be provided access in order to have the ability to see Researcher’s shares.  No storage is provided to Grad Students.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal, Seafile apps provides desktop syncing integration for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Summary
Store sensitive data in encrypted files on MacDrive

McMaster based custom solution

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Low
Medium
High
Active research
Backup
Archival & Open data sharing
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Non-specific individuals with a shared link
Public
Laptop/Desktop computer
Mobile device
Under 100 GB
100 GB to 1 TB
1 to 5 TB
Over 5 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

McMaster staff can work with you to distill your needs and find or build a solution that matches. Does your project have special ethical, legal, or commercial requirements? Are you working with an Indigenous community? Does your data need special security provisions? We can help to ensure your data is securely stored and backed up, and that all special requirements are met.

Security

Variable.

Storage Available

Potentially unlimited

Cost

Variable. No cost for consultations.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Variable.

Data hosting location

Canada, unless otherwise required.

Sharing capabilities

Variable

Example use case

Complex projects that require special treatment precluding the use of commercial storage platforms.

Website

Visit our RDM website at library.mcmaster.ca/services/rdm

Contact

Contact us at rdmgmt@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

Our work starts with an initial consultation where we will discuss your needs and see if there is an available platform that can meet them. If not, we will discuss how to build the custom solution for your project.

Technical Complexity

Low - High

Access protocol

Variable.

Summary
Contact us directly for help with complex projects

Compute Canada Nextcloud

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Low
Medium
Active research
Backup
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Laptop/Desktop computer
Mobile device
Under 100 GB
100 GB to 1 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada is a national governmental organization supporting advanced research computing (services formerly provided by Compute Canada). They provide Compute Canada Nextcloud, an online file syncing and storage solution for all ARC users. The Nextcloud service is aimed at users with relatively small datasets.

Security

Medium risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to Compute Canada Nextcloud.

Storage Available

100 GB by default

Cost

No cost for users

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Daily backup without offsite copy.

Data hosting location

Simon Fraser University

Sharing capabilities

Users can share files with other users, create and send password-protected public links, and let others upload files to the private cloud. 

Example use case

Researchers working with small data sets that need complex computational data analysis running on Alliance ARC systems can use Nextcloud as a more user friendly storage system.

Website

Compute Canada Nextcloud

Alliance Advanced Research Computing website

Documentation

Contact

Mark Hahn hahn@sharcnet.ca is locally based or visit the Alliance contact page

How to get started

Nextcloud access is automatically provided to all Alliance ARC users, if you have a CCDB account you can login with it. If you do not have a CCDB account, faculty members at any Canadian University can make a CCDB account by following the instructions here. They can then sponsor research staff and graduate students accounts.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal, desktop syncing integration for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Summary
Digital Research Alliance of Canada online file hosting service

Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL)

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Low
Medium
High
Active research
Backup
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Laptop/Desktop computer
Under 100 GB
100 GB to 1 TB
1 to 5 TB
Over 5 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

SEAL is a secure data lab that provides a safe environment for hosting confidential data. Data is hosted at the SEAL computer laboratory in the Wilson building and available in person or through secure remote access. The Laboratory has several levels of security, allowing for the storage and protection of sensitive data.  The lab provides statistical and data analysis software. 

Security

Encrypted remote access, and secure local access in Wilson Hall.

Storage Available

Unlimited

Cost

1200$/year +. McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences offers some fee assistance for researchers.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Data is backed up on a revolving basis to local drives.  SEAL has encrypted off-site backup.

Data hosting location

L. R. Wilson building

Sharing capabilities

All users need to be approved for access. External researchers can gain access.

Example use case

Researchers working with highly sensitive or restricted data (eg. personal health or financial data) should consider SEAL for data security reasons

Website

SEAL website: https://seal.mcmaster.ca/

Contact

Lily Wang

seal@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

Researchers or research groups can get a quote by contacting Lily Wang, the SEAL lab manager.

Technical Complexity

High

Access protocol

Secure local access in the SEAL computer lab or encrypted remote access using MobiKey

Summary
Secure data lab that provides a safe environment for hosting confidential data.

RHPCS Backup

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Low
Medium
High
Backup
Laptop/Desktop computer
1 to 5 TB
Over 5 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

RHPCS’ mandate is to support advanced and high-performance computing installations as a central part of the university infrastructure. RHPCS can build implement a backup solution for your locally stored data. 

Security

Data is securely stored.

Storage Available

1 TB +

Cost

500$/year, set-up fee 125$, extra storage 40$/TB/year

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Nightly, 14-day rotating cycle; Restore services through RHPCS.

Data hosting location

A.B. Bourns building

Sharing capabilities

n/a

Example use case

Medium or high risk data that should be kept on McMaster premises can be automatically backed up using this RHPCS service.

Website

RHPCS Website

Contact

rhpcs@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

RHPCS will work with you to make sure your needs are met. Send an email to rhpcs@mcmaster.ca to start.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Desktop based software.

Summary
Automated backup of your research computers

RHPCS Server

Submitted by pratti on
Facet Matches
Low
Medium
High
Active research
Backup
Other McMaster researchers
Specific researchers external to McMaster
Laptop/Desktop computer
1 to 5 TB
Over 5 TB
Service Paragraphs
Description

RHPCS’ mandate is to support advanced and high-performance computing installations as a central part of the university infrastructure. RHPCS can build a custom file server for your research group or department. File servers provide reliable, secure access to data.

Security

Servers can be configured to provide secure access only.

Storage Available

1 TB + 

Cost

500$/year, set-up fee 500$, extra storage 80$/TB/year

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Nightly, 14-day rotating cycle; Restore services through RHPCS.

Data hosting location

A.B. Bourns building 

Sharing capabilities

File server access is based on user accounts. File servers can be set up with accounts with different permissions for all required users.

Example use case

RHPCS servers are a good option for research groups needing large ammounts of data storage for data that is actively being used. 

Website

RHPCS

Contact

rhpcs@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

RHPCS will work with you to make sure your needs are met. Send an email to rhpcs@mcmaster.ca to start.

Technical Complexity

Low-High

Access protocol

SMB, NFS, AFP, SFTP, or other network file access protocols.

Summary
Build a research computing and storage cluster for your research group
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