Choosing data transfer services

University-approved research data sharing and transfer tools.

Options

The University has access to several data transfer services for sending files to recipients:

If you've been asked to use a different service by a funder, data holder, or collaborator, please contact your Digital Services business relationship manager or the Centre for eResearch.

Comparison of University-approved data transfer services
  FileSender  Dropbox for Researchers  Globus  REDCap SendIt 
Ideal use Sending/receiving data in most situations Sending/receiving public or internal data which are already inside a Dropbox folder Sending/receiving data to/from a Globus endpoint Sending/receiving data to/from a cohort of research participants
Recipients Anyone. Up to 50 per transfer. Anyone Globus endpoints, including research drives and New Zealand eScience Infrastructure Anyone
Suitable for sensitive data Yes No Yes Yes
Limits Up to 1000 files and 5TB total, per transfer Up to 250GB per transfer None Up to 1GB per transfer
Expiration Up to 15 days
Up to 30 days Transfers run in the background once initiated  
Supports encryption in transit Yes Yes Yes Yes
Data servers Yes No Yes Yes

Considerations

Data security classification

Review the Data classification standard to identify appropriate classifications as this will inform how data can be stored and shared.

Policies and agreements

Review your ethics approval, funding contract, and the Research Data Management Policy guidance to identify how data should be transferred.

Data sovereignty

Consider how Māori data sovereignty or Pacific data sovereignty may apply to the data, and how the choice of transfer tool aligns with these principles. For example, will the data leave the country during transfer?

Additional security

Consider Encrypting research data for extra protection during transfer and storage.

Advice is available through the Centre for eResearch Research data management consultation service.

Sharing research data

If you need to provide access for an external collaborator to research data on University-approved storage, see:

Collaborations with external parties likely require agreements (for example Data sharing agreements or Research collaboration contracts) which specify rights and responsibilities over the data.  For more information, contact your Faculty/Institute Research Services Team (FIRST).

Contact

Research Data Support Services
Email:
researchdata@auckland.ac.nz