The HDI Program offers resources to faculty to assist with research collaborations and extramural grant applications.  We offer one-on-one or group consultation relating to HDI research projects; health-related data management; and services necessary for collection, secure storage, and analysis of health data.  We strive to foster opportunities for researchers to establish connections,  initiate collaborations, and find the right resources to facilitate projects.

Notably in 2021, in collaboration with the Office of Information Security (OIS) and University Information Technology (UIT), we have set up a new resource using Microsoft (MS) Azure Secure Cloud.  This cloud computing environment is especially useful for research projects that require sensitive data for collection, processing, and/or analysis.  This computing environment facilitates the secure collection of data, such as through REDCap in the Secure Cloud, or uploading/depositing/analyzing sensitive data.  These data can then be securely exported into a secure Windows Virtual Desktops for analysis using a variety of programs, e.g., R, SAS, SPAA, STATA and MS Office.  The MS Azure Secure Cloud environment will enforce security compliance to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) Common Security Framework (CSF) and is audited and monitored by OSU’s OIS Security Operations Center (SOC).  These security features are in line with those required for the most common research data use agreements. 

Please see our updated facilities resource documents to assist with research grant planning and our Fee Planner for MS Azure Secure Cloud for Research Data for estimating costs for use of this service.

Feel free to make an appointment for a consultation with us.

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