If a student or researcher needs to access and/or analyze a data set from home in order to keep working on a project, how do we address privacy requirements, if the data set contains sensitive or private information?

As the University prepares to support remote operations, we anticipate that research teams may need to rethink how they access and analyze research data sets. Successful remote research operations during implementation of Coronavirus precautions requires maintaining compliance with required controls. If your research data use is covered by a data use agreement (DUA) or other contractual obligations or if an IRB has determined the data contain elements that are high risk (DSL4), please submit a protocol modification through the appropriate module (Agreements for DUAs or ESTR for IRB protocols) and ensure the modification is approved before moving data sets to a new technology platform.

For other considerations related to working remotely, we recommend you refer to Harvard University Information Technology’s website on working remotely for guidance.