Storing and Sharing
Efficient and safe storage ensures the integrity of your research data, guaranteeing data longevity and promoting collaboration. When sharing your data, it should be done securely to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
Storage Considerations
- Storing Research Data in the P-Drive will make sure your data is backed up.
- MS Teams and MS SharePoint are secure environments; however, they are meant for administrative use. Avoid using it for research data.
- UM provides additional storage for researchers to ensure GDPR compliance; however, a Data Management Plan (DMP) is necessary. Contact the faculty’s Information Manager for access.
- Check the Research Articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Data Management Code of Conduct (available soon).
- Storage Finder (available soon).
Sharing Protocols
- Utilize institutional environment and tools supported by clear instructions and agreements, such as VRE, SharePoint, MDR, SURFdrive and SURFfilesender.
- Avoid free online storage platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive to store and share research data.
- Document and adhere to any data sharing agreements specific to your project, especially when third-party data processing is involved. Ask yourself the following: Did my consortia agree on how we are sharing data and on which platforms?
Privacy and Security
Protecting the privacy of individuals and ensuring data security are integral to responsible research. Adherence to privacy regulations, is mandatory when dealing with personal data. Simultaneously, security measures are crucial for defending data against breaches, corruption, or loss.
Privacy Protocols
- Researchers must adhere to 7 principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when working with personal data.
- Check the UM guide for dealing with personal data in research projects on UMployee (only accessible to UM staff).
- Always assume that most data collected from humans falls under personal data. When in doubt, contact a data steward.
- Check if there is any training relevant for you.
Security Measures
- Security applies not only for personal data but for all confidential and sensitive data.
- Follow faculty guidelines for security.
- In case of a data breach, immediately notify the IT Servicedesk and the faculty’s support team.
Useful Resources
- Data Privacy Handbook by Utrecht University.
- UM Privacy Page