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Determine compute and data storage solutions

Need assistance with compute or storage solutions?

Selecting appropriate compute and storage platforms is vital for efficiency and security, and is based on the type of data (e.g., size, format, and classification) and the researchers analytic needs. Refer to the Duke data classification standard guide for more information about what is considered Sensitive or Restricted. 

 

Get personalized assistance through the Data Front Door

This is a service for all researchers at Duke seeking research data support services of any kind. You may also wish to work with your Departmental IT contact for local options or Research Computing for help with no-cost and custom computing solutions.

 

Get help with specialized datasets 

There are specific processes and support for accessing, securing, and complying with requirements for various regulated or protected data sets. Support can include assistance with navigating data agreements, IRB submissions, interpreting data requirements, and determining the best storage/compute solutions. Key resources: 

 

Discover and compare options yourself using SecureIt

SecureIt is a tool developed by the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to determine appropriate computational and data storage solutions based on classification and other needs and requirements of research data. Researchers can compare solutions based on responses to questions about the data, and select the best option for a specific project.

Duke's Secure Enclaves

Data storage options

EnvironmentContactFeeInformation
Protected Analytics Computing Environment (PACE)Request for PACE ServicesYes.  (Fee schedule here)

A protected virtual network space where approved users can work with identifiable protected Duke Health patient information.  

  • Appropriate for data requiring NIST 800-53 protections
  • Required for unconsented Duke patient data 
Duke Protected Network For Research (PNR)Duke Research and Innovation Intake Form No cost for the standard configuration, storage and analytical tools. Additional computation and storage resources available for a fee

Allows for the storage and analysis of sensitive and regulated research data for researchers who have appointments outside the Schools of Medicine and Nursing or who are not DUHS employees:   

  • No Duke Health patient data
  • Appropriate for data requiring NIST 800-171 protections
Duke Compute Cluster  rescomputing@duke.eduNo

A generalized high-performance computing (HPC) resource.  

  • Not allowed for sensitive data
  • Not allowed for HIPAA or FISMA data
  • Not appropriate for data requiring NIST 800-171 or 800-53 protections
School of Medicine Azure Cloud SubscriptionServiceNow Request for SoM HPC ServicesYes

Allows for compute on sensitive and restricted data types, such as Protected Health Information, including Duke Health patient data.

  • Appropriate for data requiring NIST 800-171 or 800-53 protections
Research Compute Cluster (RCC, on prem)ServiceNow Request for SoM HPC ServicesYes (Rate sheet here)

High-performance computing (HPC) resource for use with sensitive data. 

  • Appropriate for data requiring NIST 800-171, but not 800-53 protections
Duke PopHealth DataShare: PACEDPHS Resource Request Form or contact Pophealthdatashare@duke.eduYes

A protected enclave within Pace.  
Required for:

  • Storage of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) RIF and LDS research files
  • NC Medicaid claims data for research

Suitable for: 

  • Data requiring NIST 800-53 protections when the Principal Investigator prefers the DataShare regulatory staff to assume administrative controls
  • Computationally intensive analyses of large healthcare datasets 

Data query options

EnvironmentContactFeeInformation
Federated Clinical Analytics Platform (FCAP)Data Front Door

No, for explore access; 

Yes, for premium access

An integrated database and advanced analytics platform that aggregates multi-modal, de-identified health information from Duke Health patients. 

  • Requires DUHS IRB approval for premium access  (i.e., using analysis capabilities)
  • No user ingress of data is allowed
  • Users must have an appointment in SOM/SON or collaborate with SOM/SON faculty for premium access 
CosmosData Front Door

No, for Cosmos SlicerDicer level access (cohort generation); 

Yes, for Data Science and analysis.  

  • Requirements depend on level of access
  • Limited Duke Health Patient data is included in Cosmos
  • No user ingress or egress of data is allowed
Truveta

 

Request Truveta access (if using internal funding)

Contact Truveta for access (EXTERNAL funding)

Yes; based on the amount of data required, usage and storage neededAggregated de-identified data from the Electronic Health Record (EHR) from 30+ health systems for research & analytics.

Covered entity: You are in the covered entity if your position or primary appointment is in the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, or any other entity within the Duke University Affiliated Covered Entity.
Duke Health Patient Data: Any information (including genetic information) created or received by the Duke Health Enterprise regardless of form or medium (e.g., oral, written, graphic, electronic) that relates to the physical or mental health of an individual; the provision of health care services to an individual; or the payment of health care services.

Note: 
All data requiring FISMA security standards goes into SOM GovCloud. None of the environments listed above can house data requiring FISMA security standards.