Data storage
During research projects it is important to keep data secure at all times.
The EUI ICT Service provides state-of-the-art solutions to ensure that research data are safely stored and backed up.
Four different solutions are available and can be chosen upon needs:
Network areas storage (so called G:, H:, W: and S: drives): This storage is based on network areas, known usually as G:, H:, W: and S: drives, which are hosted on servers of EUI’s local IT infrastructure (IT intranet) for easy access from any EUI desktop PC. They can be accessed from Service laptops or personally-owned computers too and are backup regularly.
Microsoft OneDrive for Business: OneDrive for Business is EUI’s corporate cloud storage and is part of Microsoft’s Office 365 family. It is a valid alternative to one’s personal G: drive as it allows easy access anytime, anywhere (including on mobile devices) via free app or directly online via web.
Microsoft SharePoint: Microsoft SharePoint is the corporate, cloud-based sharing platform included in the Office 365 suite. It allows for efficient file sharing amongst EUI members as well as external collaborators and is therefore ideal for a mixed community found for example in research projects.
Microsoft Teams: Microsoft Teams is a powerful, cloud-based all-in-one collaboration and communication tool, part of Microsoft Office 365. Participants in a Team can be either EUI members only or a mix of EUI members and external users, with the idea that all share the same (access) rights. Amongst a wide range of collaboration tools (chat, meetings, desktop sharing, third-party apps, etc.), Teams offers a file storage (and sharing) platform which is based on SharePoint (see above) for easy integration with existing SharePoint sites.
We strongly advise to adopt more than one solution at the same time, following 3-2-1 backup rule
maintains a strong password policy to prevent the loss, exposure, or corruption of sensitive information.[^77] The ICT Service advises that the personal G:\ network drive “should always be used to store work-related data.”[^78] The drive is backed up by the ICT Service. Full details about EUI drive quotas are provided by the ICT Service.[^79] (EUI members also have a personal C:\ drive for storing non-work related data (photos &c.) which is not backed up.) The EUI protects computing devices by applying patches, and computers are protected by anti-malware solutions which are updated regularly to prevent malware infections.