Data Security Levels

What is a Data Security Level (DSL)?

Harvard groups data into 5 data security levels depending on the sensitivity of the data.  The DSL for data determines how that data must be managed.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this page relates only to the FASRC clusters and our current understanding of Harvard policy. Please refer to the Harvard Security Data Security Levels page for up-to-date university policies and information.

 

Cluster Data Security Level Ratings

Public Public information (Level 1/DSL1): The FASRC Cannon cluster is rated only for DSL 1 and DSL 2 data.

Low Risk Low Risk (Level 2/DSL2): The FASRC Cannon cluster is rated only for DSL 1 and DSL 2 data.

Medium Risk Medium Risk (Level 3/DSL3): Only the FASRC FASSE (FAS Secure Environment) cluster is rated for DSL3 data.

High Risk High Risk (Level 4/DSL4): For DSL4 projects, please contact FASRC for options. Each DSL4 project is custom-built and requires funding for dedicated secure resources and setup.

Extreme Risk Extreme Risk (Level 5/DSL5): FASRC has no systems rated for DSL5 data.

 

LINKS

• Data Security Level Examples
• Research Data Management site
• Office of the Vice Provost for Research – DUA page
• Harvard Research Data Security Policy (HRDSP)
• HRDSP Order of Review Documentation
• Data Use Agreement Guidance
• Harvard DUA Policy
• Agreements-DUA Submission Guide
• Committee on the Use of Human Subjects – Investigator Manual
• Office of Regulatory Affairs and Research Compliance – Investigator Manual