Conduct research while protecting regulated data
LASER provides a secure, virtual computing environment that supports research projects involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) that must comply with NIST 800-171. LASER integrates technical and administrative controls to protect regulated data while supporting a range of research computing needs.
Built for flexibility, LASER accommodates both high-performance computing and lightweight workflows, ensuring reliable performance for diverse research demands.
Eligibility
Available to PIs and authorized research team members.Principal Investigators (PIs) can request access to this service. Faculty, staff, students, and others involved in the research project may use the platform if they are authorized to access the environment.
Security
NIST 800-171 compliant with configurable protections.LASER is NIST 800-171 compliant, with configurable technical and administrative controls to safeguard data for various research computing needs
Features
Secure and high-performance computing for research analysis.- Interactive virtual machines (VMs) for data analysis
- Secure data transfer in and out of the controlled environment
- Storage and encryption for multiple terabytes of sequence and derived data
- High-performance computing (HPC) environment
Service rates
Offered at no cost to labs during the pilot.HMS IT provides LASER at no cost to eligible groups during the initial pilot. As the cost structure evolves, the Secure Computing Core staff will notify affected groups about any changes.
Getting started
PIs can request a consultation to assess project requirements.Principal investigators can email RCCore@hms.harvard.edu to request a consultation with the Secure Research Computing Core staff. This meeting will review technical and compliance requirements.
Before using LASER, projects must have:
- An approved Data Safety Submission (DSS)
- A fully executed Data Use Agreement (DUA)
If LASER is determined to be a suitable platform, the principal investigator will receive further instructions on the next steps.