About CRADC Computing

The Cornell Restricted Access Data Center (CRADC) operates a secure computing system, a Windows domain secured by a firewall, that permits Cornell researchers to acquire, house, and analyze restricted-use data for scientific research. Access to the CRADC computing system is limited to those using restricted-use data for their research.

• Security plan exceeds the U.S. Defense Department C-2 standards for trusted computing environments
• Two 64-bit servers and a file server
• Remote accessibility by Remote Desktop Connection or Terminal Services Client
• Domain controller employs user-based authentication
• Strictly enforced guidelines for selecting user passwords, and requires users to change their passwords periodically.
• No connection to the outside world via FTP, E-mail, Web, Print, or disk mapping facility, unless specifically allowed by data provider

The Data Custodians may remove non-confidential summary data and programming at the request of an authorized user after verifying that the files to be removed comply with the data use agreement governing the confidential data used.

All CRADC users, system administrators, and custodians are required to sign an appropriate system use agreement. Data providers are required to certify their authority to provide the data and to formalize the relationship with the CRADC by executing a data provider agreement.

The compute nodes in the CRADC system include a number of sophisticated software packages for data analysis, as well as other organization tools.

All software is installed so that temporary files created by the application are saved in the data-user's private disk only.

CRADC computing accounts are limited to those using restricted-use data for their research. To apply for an account contact the CRADC Manager.

NOTE: Researchers who wish to have access to these tools for working with non-restricted data may obtain accounts on CISER's general computing system.