HiPerGator-RV

HiPerGator-RV is a secure computing environment where researchers, scholars, and their collaborators can perform computations on and store restricted data as classified by UF. See the UF data classification guide for details: https://it.ufl.edu/it-policies/information-security/related-standards-and-documents/data-classification-guidelines/

The software middleware of the system is TiCrypt, and is developed and maintained by Tera Insights in collaboration with the University of Florida to address the needs of researchers working with restricted data, specifically projects requiring compliance with NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53 standards. The actual work is done inside virtual machines running Windows or Linux operating systems and applications.

The system is modeled on a bank vault where you receive:

  • An individual deposit box with secure storage for valuables
  • Privacy from other users and bank staff
  • A secure area within the vault to privately access your valuables

What does it do?

HiperGator-RV is designed to act as a workstation that is secure and pre-approved with the capacity for large-scale data storage and computation. Researchers can:

  • Securely store restricted data like:
    • Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) (HIPAA)
    • Export-controlled Data (ITAR/EAR)
    • Student Data (FERPA)
    • Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
    • Intellectual Property data (IP)
  • Store and work with larger data sets than what is possible on a regular workstation
  • Perform work on stored data sets with familiar software tools running on virtual machines located in the UF data center
  • Concurrently run more programs than on a regular workstation
  • Display work results on a graphical interface that is securely transmitted to remote devices such as desktops, laptops, or mobile devices
  • Work collaboratively with other researchers on the same data sets using different workstations