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Available to
Faculty, Staff
Overview
See these ECU recommendations and solutions when choosing where to store your work data. A good data management plan includes two main protections for your work files: 1) A backup to prevent data loss, and 2) Appropriate storage security. Also keep in mind that ECU work data should never be stored locally (on your computer), whether you are using a personal or ECU-managed computer.
Creating a plan takes some advance thought. First, check the University Data Governance website to learn how and where to store particular data types and the contact information for the appropriate data steward. Remember: you are responsible for the data in your care! Next, see these resources:
ECU offers recommendations as well as two solutions that provide both a location for your backup and appropriate file protection. Not sure? See these ECU Data Classification levels to determine your data's classification.
Once you’ve inventoried your work files, the second step is to set up the backup. The related articles have step-by-step instructions for both Mac and Windows.
What storage options are available?
Creating a plan takes some advance thought, but ECU offers recommendations as well as two solutions that provide both a location for your backup and appropriate file protection. The first step is to determine your data types. Do you work with sensitive, FERPA or research information? See these ECU Data Classification levels to determine your data's classification.
Once you’ve inventoried your work files, the second step is to set up the backup. The related articles have step-by-step instructions for both Mac and Windows.
Microsoft 365 OneDrive Cloud Storage
OneDrive is a service available through your ECU Microsoft 365 subscription. OneDrive is the only approved cloud storage for ECU data. It is easy to use and works seamlessly with other 365 services like Teams and SharePoint and is approved to store both sensitive and nonsensitive data. See the Related Articles section of this page for a link to the OneDrive Overview IT knowledge base article and learn specific OneDrive features like sharing anywhere access.
Please note: You may have a personal Windows account set up for your personal devices that includes OneDrive storage. Please do not store ECU data to this personal account!
To learn about OneDrive file management for Windows, including backup, files on demand, file restore and other features, see these training videos from Microsoft:
ECU-managed Windows 11 computers are configured to automatically save all Documents, Desktop and Pictures files to the user's ECU OneDrive folder. You always have a current backup and ensures that ECU data is not saved to the computer's hard drive (locally). Internet access required to access files. Your OneDrive can be accessed through File Explorer (Windows logo key + E), Teams, or your Microsoft 365 home page.
Enterprise network-attached storage (NAS)
Enterprise NAS is storage on ECU servers and is a recommended space for research files and department shared storage. Currently, all ECU users have an individual HOME folder. Save files through the document’s Save or Save as features, drag and drop to the HOME through a VPN.
Temporary options
External hard drive or high-capacity flash drive. While convenient, these options don’t provide the same level of protection as OneDrive or Enterprise NAS. Hard drives/flash drives eventually fail and your data is lost. Enterprise NAS and OneDrive are backed up, significantly reducing the chance of data loss. Also, deleted files are recoverable in either option. If you do decide to save files to an external device, make sure these options are encrypted and that you follow ECU’s sensitive storage guides. It’s also a good idea to back up the data to Enterprise NAS or OneDrive at regular intervals.