The appropriate solution for storing research data depends on the need. It is impossible to find a solution that works for all storage needs.
The characteristics of a good storage location include:
Automated backups are important because it is easy to forget manual backups, putting you at risk of losing all the data.
All students at the University of Helsinki have their own home drive, the Z: drive, which is backed up every hour.
Read more about backups in the Students’ Digital Skills course material.
Remote access is useful if you must access the data from anywhere. This also frees you from carrying the data with you on a memory stick, which can easily be lost and end up in the wrong hands.
As a student, you have access to a home drive (Z: drive) offered by the University of Helsinki, which you can use over a VPN connection.
Access control means
|
Independent location | Works without a network connection | Suitable for collaborative use | Automated backups | Access control |
Z: drive | Accessible over a VPN connection | No | No | Every hour | University username and password |
University cloud service (OneDrive) |
Accessible by browser | No | Can be shared and jointly edited | Yes | University username and password |
Memory stick or hard drive | Must be carried with you | Yes | No | No | Don’t forget encryption. Accessible by password, see the Helpdesk instructions for encrypted flash drives. |