Data Management

Illustration by Jørgen Stamp. CC BY 2.5 Denmark license www.digitalbevaring.dk

Choose secure storage solutions for your research data. You want to protect your data and any private information you collect. If you have sensitive data, be careful in selecting cloud storage.

Storage ≠ Backup

Storage and backup are separate but complementary elements of data management. 

• Storage refers to maintaining your files in a secure location that is readily accessible. 
• Backup  is the regular process of saving additional copies of your data to separate physical or virtual locations. 

A good combination of storage and backup supports strong data management.

Meme from diylol.com

Not having a backup could result in terrible loss and potentially the end of your project. Securely store and backup your data!

A good rule to follow when managing your data is the rule of 3. Keep three copies of your data:

• Two copies onsite
• One copy offsite

Example
1. Laptop or network drive
2. External hard drive
3. Cloud storage

When evaluating your storage and backup options ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the best option for my research project?
• What kind of storage suits my type of data?
• Is my data sensitive? Do I need to comply with privacy laws?
• Is the cloud a safe place to store my data?
• What are my funder's requirements for data storage, preservation, and sharing?