Data security
Data security is the means of ensuring that data are kept safe from corruption and that access is suitably controlled.
It is important to consider the security of your data to prevent:
- Accidental or malicious damage/modification to data.
- Theft of valuable data.
- Breach of confidentiality agreements and privacy laws.
- Premature release of data, which can void intellectual property claims.
- Release before data have been checked for accuracy and authenticity.
Securing digital research data is part of the issue of information technology security. You should always have up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your office and home computer.
If you have sensitive data that are covered by privacy laws or confidentiality agreements, it is best to store them on a computer that is not connected to any network. If this is not possible, then you can also consider encrypting your data.
The final issue to consider is physical security. A computer that is not connected to a network is still vulnerable to theft and malicious damage/modification to data.
For highly sensitive data you can use an external hard drive and store it in a locked safe overnight. Such data should not be stored on portable drives such as laptops and flash drives unless absolutely necessary and without encryption.
Encryption
Encryption, whereby data is transformed into code, is a good way of ensuring its confidentiality and security.
Confidential disposal of research data
Advice on the disposal of confidential waste can be gained from the Estates department.
© University of Edinburgh, 2011. Used with permission.
