Data management good practices

Every student, staff, and researcher at the University of Minnesota has access to networked, backed-up data storage. Campus storage options are better than DIY approaches, like storing data on external hard drives, because they are protected, monitored, and well backed-up.

Backup and Storage for Data

You have multiple options for self-help storage:

1. Compare options for U of M data storage using the Data Storage Selection Tool.
2. If you work in the Health Sciences, you can request storage or assistance from the Health Sciences Technology group.
3. If you have large data or need high performance computing, you can request storage or compute space from Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. 
4. If you are not sure where to start, reach out to the Research Cyberinfrastructure Champion Network.

Google Shared Drives: Collaborative project based storage

Google Shared Drives have limits of 100Gb and are good places for storing non-sensitive project information or collaborative files. 

Get started with Google Shared Drives

Google Drives: Cloud storage for individual files

Google Drives have varying storage limits depending on your role, ranging from 50 to 300Gb. This is a good place for storing or sharing individual, non-sensitive files. 

Get started with Google Drive

Box: sensitive storage

Box Secure Storage is a secure environment intended for storing, sharing and accessing sensitive and private-highly restricted files.

Get started with Box

Research Data Storage 

Research data storage is on secure university managed servers and is an ideal place to store non-HIPAA research data, including sensitive data. 
Get started with Research Data Storage

If you are going to store your own data on personal devices, consider using the 3-2-1 rule for backup.

• 3 separate copies of the data

• 2 different storage media devices (e.g., a working copy on your laptop and a backup copy on the cloud)

• 1 copy must be physically off-site from your location (in case of natural disaster, fire, theft, etc.)

Storing and working with data directly on University provided storage will build in some of these back ups for you!