Service Description
Turbo Research Storage, provided by Advanced Research Computing (ARC), offers scalable storage to University of Michigan researchers. Turbo's features include ease of use, compliance, and speed. Turbo Research Storage customers requiring storage of approved sensitive data types can choose to use the Network File System (NFS) v4+Kerberos protocol or the Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol. Performance is intended to be sufficient for both Input/Output (IO) operations and bulk file access, allowing researchers to work with data in place and avoid excessive data staging.
Turbo Research Storage with NFSv4+Kerberos or CIFS is available to all faculty, scientists, clinicians, and students working on any U-M campus (Ann Arbor, Flint, Dearborn, Michigan Medicine) or off-site with needs to store and retain research data.
Compliance
Turbo Research Storage provides a secure environment for most types of sensitive data when using the NFSv4+Kerberos protocol or the CIFS protocol. Off-campus roaming users will be required to access the service using NFSv4+Kerberos via the U-M VPN provided by ITS. Turbo Research Storage with NFSv4+Kerberos or CIFS includes safeguards required by HIPAA. Accordingly, you may use it to maintain Protected Health Information (PHI). Complying with HIPAA's requirements is a shared responsibility. Users sharing and storing PHI in Turbo Research Storage are responsible for complying with HIPAA safeguards, including:
- Using and disclosing only the minimum necessary PHI for the intended purpose.
- Obtaining all required authorizations for using and disclosing PHI.
- Ensuring that PHI is seen only by those who are authorized to see it.
- Following any additional steps required by your unit to comply with HIPAA.
Social Security numbers should only be used where required by law or where they are essential for university business processes. If you must use SSNs, it is preferred that you use institutional resources designed to house this data, such as the Data Warehouse. Information Assurance (IA) can help you explore appropriate storage locations or work with you to appropriately encrypt the data if those alternatives will not work for you. (Contact IA via the ITS Service Center.)
When Turbo Research Storage is configured without the NFSv4+Kerberos protocol, it may not be used to store data that is classified as Restricted, High, or Moderate, or that is critical to the operations of the university.