Data classification is primarily based on an assessment of the underlying risk, which is determined based on a combination of the likelihood of the risk occurring and the impact. For example, if there is an increased likelihood of re-identifiable data being identified, then it is advisable to classify it as Very Sensitive data rather than Sensitive data in order to ensure that it is stored appropriately. If you're unsure of the classification of your data, it's advisable to use a higher security classification, or you can contact the Research Data Governance Team at researchdatagovernance@monash.edu for assistance.
For more information on data classification and risk please see the Monash classification scheme and the Risk Assessment Guidance and Definitions (pdf).
Monash has a number of solutions to meet your specific research data requirements. You're strongly encouraged to use these solutions to protect and meet your obligations.
Work through the options below to find the most suitable solution available. The list will update as you select your requirements.
For more information, please contact Research Data Governance at ResearchDataGovernance@monash.edu.
Supports these data classifications
PublicSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBGmail
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle Forms
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
MFA required except when shared
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle My Drive
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
If not deleted, content can be restored through version history
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle shared drive
Limit of 25GB per shared drive
If not deleted, content can be restored through version history
MFA required except when shared
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereHelix REDCap
Request through Helix
30+ days: Available through audit logs using copy/paste
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GBLabArchives
MFA required except for external collaborators
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBMonash laptop (With Monash SOE (Standard Operating Environment))
Storage of 200GB+ is not possible
Geographic restrictions can't apply
Only Documents, Pictures, Favourites and Desktop folders are automatically backed up when in the Monash Environment or VPN
More detailsSupports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBM:Drive
Transfer of larger files can be requested
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TBP:Drive
Storage of 100GB – 1TB is standard but additional storage can be requested
Collaborator needs Monash identity and must use virtual environment and VPN
45 day backup is standard but longer periods can be requested
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PBQualtrics
Users responsible for own backup
MFA required except for external collaborators
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBQualtrics Plus
Users responsible for own backup
Collaborator needs Monash identity
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBRDS: Market & Vault
Collaborator needs Monash identity
MFA required only if using VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public RestrictedSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PB 1PB+S:Drive
Storage of 100GB – 1TB is standard but additional storage can be requested
Collaborator needs Monash identity
31 day backup is standard but longer periods can be requested
MFA required only if using VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PBMonash SeRP
Storage of 100GB – 1PB+ can be requested
Collaborators need Monash identity and must use virtual environment and VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PB 1PB+Zoom recordings
Must be saved to computer not Zoom cloud. Storage of 100GB – 1TB isn't recommended given the data size
Geographic restrictions can't apply
Must be saved to computer not Zoom cloud
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TBOneDrive Not recommended for research use
Sharepoint Not recommended for research use
Microsoft Teams file storage Not recommended for research use
Google Chat (formerly Hangouts) Not recommended for research use
Dropbox Not recommended for research use
If you're currently using Dropbox Enterprise (Monash Enterprise instance) for research data and have concerns, email researchdatagovernance@monash.edu.
Select a solution to learn more about its capabilities.
Supports these data classifications
PublicSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBGmail
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle Forms
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
MFA required except when shared
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle My Drive
Included in Google Workplace (100GB allocation across all products)
If not deleted, content can be restored through version history
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBGoogle shared drive
Limit of 25GB per shared drive
If not deleted, content can be restored through version history
MFA required except when shared
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereHelix REDCap
Request through Helix
30+ days: Available through audit logs using copy/paste
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GBLabArchives
MFA required except for external collaborators
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBMonash laptop (With Monash SOE (Standard Operating Environment))
Storage of 200GB+ is not possible
Geographic restrictions can't apply
Only Documents, Pictures, Favourites and Desktop folders are automatically backed up when in the Monash Environment or VPN
More detailsSupports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBM:Drive
Transfer of larger files can be requested
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TBP:Drive
Storage of 100GB – 1TB is standard but additional storage can be requested
Collaborator needs Monash identity and must use virtual environment and VPN
45 day backup is standard but longer periods can be requested
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PBQualtrics
Users responsible for own backup
MFA required except for external collaborators
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GBQualtrics Plus
Users responsible for own backup
Collaborator needs Monash identity
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in AustraliaSupports these data sizes
100GBRDS: Market & Vault
Collaborator needs Monash identity
MFA required only if using VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public RestrictedSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PB 1PB+S:Drive
Storage of 100GB – 1TB is standard but additional storage can be requested
Collaborator needs Monash identity
31 day backup is standard but longer periods can be requested
MFA required only if using VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted Sensitive Very sensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PBMonash SeRP
Storage of 100GB – 1PB+ can be requested
Collaborators need Monash identity and must use virtual environment and VPN
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhere Stored in Australia Stored at MonashSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TB 1TB - 1PB 1PB+Zoom recordings
Must be saved to computer not Zoom cloud. Storage of 100GB – 1TB isn't recommended given the data size
Geographic restrictions can't apply
Must be saved to computer not Zoom cloud
Supports these data classifications
Public Restricted SensitiveSupports these geographic restrictions
Stored anywhereSupports these data sizes
100GB 100GB - 1TBOneDrive Not recommended for research use
Sharepoint Not recommended for research use
Microsoft Teams file storage Not recommended for research use
Google Chat (formerly Hangouts) Not recommended for research use
Dropbox Not recommended for research use
If you're currently using Dropbox Enterprise (Monash Enterprise instance) for research data and have concerns, email researchdatagovernance@monash.edu.
The Research Data Classification Tool asks a series of questions to help determine if your research data is classified as Sensitive or Very Sensitive under the Monash classification scheme. Once you've completed this tool and determined your level of classification, use the Research Data Solutions Tool (select requirements tab) to find the most suitable solution for research data storage, sharing, collection, transfer or publication.
If you have any questions or feedback please contact the Research Data Governance Team researchdatagovernance@monash.edu