Johns Hopkins Information Technology provides investigators with secure Windows virtual workspaces integrated with common scientific tools and enhance productivity both within and beyond Johns Hopkins University.
Johns Hopkins IT provides the following Research IT Virtual Desktop services:
SAFE & SAFER Desktop
Managed and supported by Johns Hopkins Information Technology, the Secure Analytic Framework Environment (SAFE) and the Secure Analytic Framework Environment for Research (SAFER) Desktops are designed to empower researchers, enhance collaboration with internal and external researchers, and accelerate scientific discovery.
Whether a researcher is analyzing protected data, conducting simulations, or collaborating with colleagues, SAFE and SAFER Desktop provide a secure and efficient Windows workspace. Pre-loaded with analytic tools tailored for research, SAFE and SAFER Desktops enable researchers to utilize statistical software to analyze complex datasets and streamline workflows.
Access
To request access to SAFE, please fill out the SAFE Access Request Form.
To request access to SAFER, please fill out the Research IT Intake Form.
Data Security & Use
SAFE Desktop is suitable for projects requiring HIPAA, PHI/PII, LDS, and non-PHI/PII compliance.
For storage, SAFE Desktop users can request access to SAFE–STOR, a Johns Hopkins Information Technology-managed storage solution that is best for user interactions, small-to-mid scale instrument data collection, organizing collections of data sets, and subsequent analysis. SAFE-STOR provides up to 100 TB of storage for active research projects and has a three-year data protection in place. To request access to SAFESTOR please fill out this request form.
SAFER Desktop is best for investigators who need a more powerful Windows machine and is suitable for projects that require NIST SP 800-171 and/or Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 data compliance, in addition to HIPAA, PHI/PII, LDS, and non PHI/PII.
For storage, SAFER Desktop users can request access to SAFER-STOR, a highly scalable, performant, and protected storage solution managed by Johns Hopkins Information Technology. SAFER-STOR provides up to 100 TB of storage for active research projects and has a three-year data protection in place. To request access to SAFESTOR, please fill out this request form..
Cost Structure
| SAFE Desktop | ||
|---|---|---|
| OPTIONS | SIZE | COST |
| On-size machine | 6CPU/24GB RAM/ 1GB GPU | Fully Subsidized |
| SAFER Desktop | ||
|---|---|---|
| OPTIONS | SIZE | COST |
| Windows 11 Small | 8vCPU/32GB RAM | Fully Subsidized |
| Windows 11 Medium | 16vCPU/64GB RAM | TBD* |
| Windows 11 Large | 32vCPU/128GB RAM | TBD* |
| Windows 11 Small GPU | 4vCPU/28GB RAM/1×16 GPU | TBD* |
* A subsidized cost model for SAFER Desktop is forthcoming