Research data is valuable and should be stored securely to prevent loss and unauthorized access. Secure data storage is a crucial component of research data managementResearch data management is aimed at handling research data in a responsible and well-considered manner. The idea is to carefully organize, maintain and process research data using specific measures and strategies. The goal is to store data long-term and make it accessible and reusable by others, in line with good scientific practice. This enables easier verification of scientific findings, secures evidence, and allows for further evaluations and analyses of the data. Read More and a fundamental requirement for good scientific workGood scientific practice (GSP) represents a standardized code of conduct established in the guidelines of the German Research Foundation (DFG). These guidelines emphasize the ethical obligation of every researcher to act responsibly, honestly, and respectfully, also in order to strengthen public trust in research and science. They serve as a framework for guiding scientific work processes. Read More.

When working in research teams where multiple individuals access a shared data pool, it is essential to develop a data storage and security strategy early on. This strategy should address storage capacity, storage locations and media, access permissions (data protectionData protection includes measures against the unlawful collection, storage, sharing, and reuse of personal data. It is based on the right of individuals to self-determination regarding the handling of their data and is anchored in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz), and the corresponding laws of the federal states. A violation of data protection regulations can lead to criminal consequences. Read More regulations), and protection against data loss. Implementing various security measures and backupThe term backup means data protection or data recovery and refers to the copying of data as a precaution in the event that data is lost, e.g. due to hard drive damage or accidental deletion. The data can be restored with a backup. For this purpose, the data record is additionally saved on another data carrier (backup copy) and stored offline or online. Read More routines can help minimize the risk of losing data.

Different storage locations and media offer various advantages and disadvantages in terms of compatibility, mobility, access, security, durability, backup options, and encryption methods, as outlined below (Baur, 2021; Forschungsdaten.info, 2023g).