RSP - RDM

IT Support for Data Management 

Coventry University's Digital Services have processes in place to ensure: the completeness and accuracy of the backed up data; backup copies of data are stored in a secure manner; data can be restored from a required backup within a reasonable time from authorisation from a data custodian; control of media rotation; secure storage; copies of data are taken on schedule; the secure disposal of data and magnetic media when they are no longer required.

Many departments and research groups provide networked storage and Microsoft Teams spaces for collaborative work. It is important that you consider information security from the outset when planning your research project. It is highly recommended that you engage with Information Security and Digital Compliance via enquiry.infosec@coventry.ac.uk as soon as possible, so that they can assist you in fulfilling your requirements at the earliest opportunity. They are available to help you keep the data that you are processing secure, and can provide advice on the most suitable ways of doing this, whilst still being able to move your project forward.

Portable storage media such as CDs, DVDs, memory sticks (also known as USB sticks, flash drives, thumb drives, memory keys) are more risky are vulnerable to loss and damage. It is important not to rely on them as your only copy of important data.

They are very convenient though, and useful for:

• temporary copies / moving files e.g. taking a presentation to a conference.
• secondary or back-up copies
• files only one person at a time needs access to.
• data you can afford to lose.

Data sticks or CD/DVDs must be encrypted before posting them to external collaborators.