The Azure Secure Research Enclave (SRE) is a specialized Cloud Compute Service Offering tailored to meet the unique needs of researchers in healthcare and related fields. This service is designed to provide a secure and compliant environment for researchers to conduct their work and is suitable for initiatives funded by organizations such as NIH or other government entities. By leveraging Microsoft Azure as the Cloud Resource Provider, Red Hat Enterprise Licensed Virtual Machine (Data Science VM), and a range of industry-standard compliance controls, the SRE ensures that researchers have access to a powerful and secure platform for their data analysis and manipulation needs.
About This Service
Key Features
- Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure is the chosen Cloud Resource Provider, offering a robust and secure infrastructure for hosting the Secure Research Enclave. Access to the Data Science VM is seamless, utilizing a controlled authentication workflow, ensuring that only authorized users can enter the enclave.
- Customizable, Cost-Sensitive VM Configurations: Azure Infrastructure supports various Virtual Machine sizes, allowing researchers to right-size the environment for specific storage, memory and CPU analysis requirements as research needs evolve.
- Easy to Use Graphical User Interface: The Data Science VM is equipped with a desktop GUI, enabling users to interact with the environment through a graphical interface – offering familiarity and ease-of-use to researchers who haven’t mastered the CLI. Protections are in place to prevent data leakage from the enclave, ensuring data security.
- Data Ingress, Egress, and Internet Access Controls: Controlled data ingress and egress workflows are facilitated through Azure Data Factory, ensuring secure movement of research datasets in and out of the enclave. Data cannot leave the environment without approval from a designated party, referred to as the 'Data Approver', adding an additional layer of security to data egress. The Data Science VM has no outbound Internet access to web resources, providing an isolated environment for secure research activities.
- Analysis Software: The Data Science VM configuration supports a range of essential research software titles to meet the diverse needs of researchers.
Getting and Using This Service
How do I access this service?
How do I request this service?
- Ready to get started right away? Visit the Cloud Onboarding Survey to initiate a request for Azure resources.
- Assistance is available by clicking on the Request Help button on the upper right-hand corner of this page.
Who can use this service?
Researchers
Special Considerations
Research Initiative Funding Sources
NIH-funded research part of the STRIDES program enables researchers to use Azure at a 20 percent discount. Pitt researchers with non-NIH research grants are still eligible for a 10 percent discount to access this University-wide resources.
Support
How do I get help?
Submit a ticket by clicking the Request Help button on the upper right hand corner of this page