A majority of the University’s tools and resources are consistent with at least DSL 3 standards, as well as many external regulations. These Harvard-managed tools are protected by contractual restrictions and security measures not available for consumer tools. Utilizing Harvard resources, as opposed to a vendor or home-grown solution will help ensure compliance with internal and external requirements, and expedite Data Safety and IRB reviews. A great place to start is with the Harvard Information Security Collaboration Tools Matrix or Research Support at Harvard for Active Research.
Short-term storage is typically described as the length of a research process from initiation to final publication. Your research data must be stored in a place that is secure and accessible while it's actively being collected and analyzed. Again, refer to appropriate University tools and resources for short-term storage and/or file sharing services.
Long-term storage and preservation seek to ensure that research data will be available to those who seek it (e.g., your sponsors, the public, and other researchers) in a persistent and accessible format for the specific period of time outlined by your funder and parent institution. As the designated steward of research data, faculty are required to retain research records for a period of no fewer than seven (7) years after the end of a research project or activity. Refer to OVPR’s Retention and Maintenance of Research Records and Data.
Permanent retention or archiving refers to the ongoing migration of electronic formats and storage costs, as well as care, maintenance, and access services for the records in perpetuity. The Records Management Services, a department of the Harvard University Archives, provides guidance to University staff, faculty, and administrators on how to understand their responsibilities for stewarding and managing their records.