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HelpMyResearch FAQs
1. What is MyResearch (formerly Secure Data Environment
(SDE))?
The purpose of MyResearch is to provide UCSF research teams with a
professionally managed, secure, web based, collaborative environment in which to
store files containing sensitive data. It provides application and data base
services that allow investigators to view, manipulate, and save their data
entirely in this protected environment without requiring files to be stored on
their own computers. It also provides access to applications they might not be
on your local desktop such as SAS. In addition, a file upload capabiity enables
you to upload even large files in a matter of minutes.
2. Who can use MyResearch?
At this time authentication is done through the UCSF Active Directory (AD)
system. A UCSF ID is required to be part of the AD. If someone on your team is
not part of the UCSF community including faculty, staff, and students, you would
need to work with your department’s Identity Management Worker (IMW) to obtain a
UCSF ID for the non-UCSF staff.
3. When is this service available?
The service is available now.
4. How can I sign up for this service?
To sign up, contact the CSS Help Desk at 514-4100, Option 2. CSS Help Desk is
available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
5. What support will be provided?
Support personnel are available Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pacific time. There is a phone, e-mail and web based ticketing system to track
all issues. The data center is supported 24/7.
6. What security measures will be in place?
There is a 24 X 7 staffed datacenter with secure physical access to all servers,
automated OS and major application patching, managed network-based intrusion
detection, managed policy based enterprise firewall using Cisco and Microsoft
technologies, and managed VPN access.
Data will also be encrypted in transit.
7. How will data be backed up?
Fourteen local daily snapshots of full server state are done in addition to
nightly incremental backups. Hourly off-site snapshots are performed. There is a
monthly archive of the entire infrastructure that rolls to quarterly after three
months. Full restore and disaster recovery capability will be
provided. Additionally, data is replicated at a secure off-site location.
8. Can I access my data 24/7?
Yes, the servers are available 24/7,
9. How much will the service cost?
Initially, the service will be provided free of charge. Beginning July 2009,
there will be a $400 per year charge for up to 10 gb of space and up to 6 people
plus the principal investigator. A tiered pricing structure will be put in place
for sites that require greater than 10 gb of space or more than seven users.
10. How much space is available?
In general there is sufficient space to handle typical researcher
requirements. Large file requirements will be handled on a case by case basis.
11. How many studies can I have?
There is no limit to the number of studies you can have. You would only be
limited by the cost of storage and usage.
12. Will my data be purged?
There are no plans to purge data from the site.
13. Will my data be examined for HIPAA compliance?
No, this service provides a safe storage facility for your data. You are
responsible for complying with data security regulations.
14. From where can I access my data?
Your data can be accessed from any PC or Mac connected to the UCSF network or
through the use of VPN to connect to the UCSF network. A VPN account is required
for VPN access.
15. How will the data get transferred from the existing
server?
MyResearch makes use of a remote desktop tool to enable you to do all your work
on the remote server.
16. Can I take data out of MyResearch?
Yes, data can be transferred to your local device, however, it is
highly recommended that all work be done on the secure desktop. As of June,
2009, maximum fines are $1.5 million (Federal) and $250,000 (State) for
malicious or negligent use of PHI data.
17. How will you insure that no one else gets access to my
data?
We will use SharePoint (SP) a Microsoft product. SharePoint sites require a
login and comprise a specific group of users. Your site is restricted to those
staff members to whom you have granted permission, either read only or
read/write. You will log in using your Active Directory login, the one you use
to log into your computers.
18. How is data accessed?
When you sign on to your MyResearch site, any files that you have permission to
read or change will be available to you. SharePoint gives you the abiity to
check out and check in files, document what has been changed, create versions
and view version history.
19. Which browser can I use?
MyResearch runs under a variety of browsers including Microsoft Internet
Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.
20. How will I print necessary documents?
You will be able to print to any printer you currently use. Printers will need
to be identified to the remote desktop. OAAIS Customer Support Services will be
able to assist in setting this up.
21. Is MyResearch part of the long term plan for the data
warehouse?
In the future, results from searches done on the Integrated Data Repository will
be provided on the researchers MyResearch site.
22. Where can I find out more about SharePoint?
You can read more about SharePoint at SharePoint
Overview.