Protecting Sensitive Data and Information Used in Research, portable electronic device, personally identifiable information, confidential

2.3.12 Protecting Sensitive Data and Information Used in Research

Recipients of NIH funds are reminded of their vital responsibility to protect sensitive and confidential data as part of proper stewardship of federally funded research, and take all reasonable and appropriate actions to prevent the inadvertent disclosure, release or loss of sensitive personal information. NIH advises that personally identifiable, sensitive, and confidential information about NIH-supported research or research participants not be housed on portable electronic devices. If portable electronic devices must be used, they should be encrypted to safeguard data and information. These devices include laptops, CDs, disc drives, flash drives, etc. Researchers and institutions also should limit access to personally identifiable information through proper access controls such as password protection and other means. Research data should be transmitted only when the security of the recipient's systems is known and is satisfactory to the transmitter. See also Public Policy Requirements and Objectives-Federal Information Security Management Act.