This section provides an overview of all storage options available at the VU. While it is useful to understand the benefits and limitations of each, not all options are accessible to students. Be sure to check with your supervisor early in your project to determine which storage solutions are available to you.
Yoda
Benefits:
Approved for high privacy/ confidentiality risks
Storage of large volumes of data that don't need to be frequently accessed for processing/ analyzing
Creation of structured metadata to describe your research data (FAIR)
Access possible for external users (2FA)
Cost covered up to 500GB
Archiving and data publishing available through YODA
Links with PURE
Limitations:
Data will likely need to be copied locally prior to data processing/ analysis
Lacks desktop sync
Does not allow for access management at a folder and sub-folder level; everyone in the YODA group has access to all folders and sub-folders
Research Drive
Benefits:
Approved for high privacy/ confidentiality risks
Storage of large volumes of data that need to be regularly accessed for processing/ analyzing
Similar to SurfDrive, but works on a project level rather than individual
Has a desktop sync client for easy management of locally copied data
Facilitates access management at the folder and sub-folder level
Access possible for external users
Cost covered up to 500GB
Limitations:
Requires encryption for very high risk data
Requires syncing of data locally before processing/ analyzing
Does not offer structured metadata
Not suitable for archiving or publishing
SciStor
Benefits:
Storage of very large volumes of data that need to be regularly accessed for processing/ analyzing
Data can be accessed directly from SciStor without copying locally
Best option for high-processing computing
Allows for access management at the folder and sub-folder level
Limitations:
Access not possible for external (non-VU) users
No coverage of storage costs, but costs are kept low
Additional measures required for very-high risk data
Access rights managed entirely by IT for Research, changes can only be made upon request
Not suitable for archiving or publishing
Sharepoint
Benefits:
Replacement for the previously used G-Drive
Similar to OneDrive, but ensures data storage is linked to a project rather than an individual
Allows for access management at a folder and sub-folder level
Access possible for external users
Limitations:
Requires encryption for high risk data
Very easy to grant access to data, meaning unauthorised data access can happen by mistake
Difficult to maintain an overview of who has access to folders and Teams channels
Does not offer structured metadata
Not suitable for archiving or publishing
Managed externally by Microsoft, unlike VU- or SURF-hosted services. Due to its external management, there may be additional security and access concerns.
SurfDrive: (TO BE FILLED IN BASED ON CURRENT ADVICE 24/06/25)
