Empowering Secure and Efficient Research with Trusted Research Environments
Advance sensitive data-driven research with expertly designed Microsoft Azure Trusted Research Environments (TREs) from Red Oak Consulting. Our skilled and experienced Cloud Engineering team, with a strong research background, can deliver:
- TRE Planning: Customised to individual or organisational use cases.
- Open Standards: Fostering confidence in a system which will conform to required security protocols.
- Cost Effectiveness: Through the use of a singular, centralised system with full cost management.
- Time Optimisation: On-going maintenance so researchers remain focused on results and outcomes.
- Optimised for Scale: Pivotal for data analysis from desktop to HPC-level scale.
- Knowledge Transfer: To retain in-house expertise to maximise the value of your Trusted Research Environment.
By integrating high-quality data management, robust security, and enhanced privacy, our TREs accelerate your path to discovery.
Innovation
Drive innovation by securely enabling collaborative access to sensitive data, advanced analytics tools, and resources, fostering interdisciplinary research, replicability, and accelerated discovery.
Data Quality
Link and analyse data at scale, ensuring the highest standards of data quality and consistency.
Security
Maintain full control over your data with access restricted solely to authorised personnel.
Transparency
Foster greater scrutiny and data reuse with comprehensive audit trails and transparent recording of all research activity.
Breaking Research Boundaries through TRE Innovation
Our Microsoft Azure-based Trusted Research Environment (TRE) is purpose-built to streamline data-centric research from inception through to breakthrough. Rapid insights with the safeguard of complete data security and regulatory compliance are a guarantee.
Your research can benefit from:
Streamlined Access
Control
Our self-service portals allow you to manage access to a variety of research tools and data sets. This system supports both Windows and Linux environments, improving productivity without the constant need for IT oversight.
Customisable
Research Environments
Enhance your digital workspace with essential tools, applications and Data Science Virtual Machines, each selected to meet the precise requirements of your specific research projects.
Comprehensive Tool and Library Integration
Access a broad array of critical research software and libraries directly within your workspace, such as in-system Python and R library depositories, version control platforms (Gitea) and easy to use options for remote access via a Web browser.
Adaptable and
Robust Infrastructure
Our Azure TRE features a flexible architecture that includes secure integration options for Azure CycleCloud HPC and Azure Databricks giving you access to Secure HPC and Secure Data Platforms, ensuring compatibility and enhancement of your existing systems and processes.
Enhanced
Security Features
Leveraging Azure Entra and enhanced with additional airlock security protocols, our infrastructure safeguards your data against unauthorised access and potential security threats.
What Sets This Environment Apart from Alternatives?
Setup Time & Maintenance
Remove the need, time and security risk associated with setting up your own bespoke environment for research purposes. Red Oak Consulting can proactively monitor and manage these Trusted Research Environments ensuring compliance and optimisation at all times.
Integrations
Both Azure and AWS support open science initiatives and provide tools for sharing data and code repositories. Azure’s integrations with GitHub and Azure Open Datasets allows for enhanced collaboration with other developers, perform source control, and the secure management of your data factory assets. All of which delivers a reduced timeline to data discovery and preparation.
Compliance
Azure offers a wide range of compliance certifications and security features tailored to the needs of research organisations, including HIPAA, GDPR, and FedRAMP compliance. Azure’s specialised offerings, such as Azure Government and Azure Health Data Services, provide additional support for compliance with industry-specific regulations.
Integrated Analytics and AI Services
Azure offers a comprehensive suite of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) services, including Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure Synapse Analytics. These services enable researchers to analyse large datasets, build predictive models, and extract insights using advanced AI algorithms.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Azure has established partnerships and collaborations with academic institutions, research organisations, and government agencies worldwide. These partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange, research collaborations, and access to specialised resources and expertise for researchers using Azure.
Support for Open Science Initiatives
Azure actively supports open science initiatives and provides tools and resources for promoting transparency, reproducibility, and data sharing in research. For example, Azure Open Datasets offers a collection of curated datasets for use in research projects, while Azure for Research provides grants and resources for advancing open science.
Why Partner with Red Oak Consulting?
With a proven capability of bridging the gap between IT and research our team of highly skilled computing experts will work with you to overcome potential challenges whilst applying the critical skill to deliver the right solution for your research.
- Technical Expertise and True Partnership: Leveraging our partnership with Microsoft and experience in the international research ecosystem, we provide access to cutting-edge technologies and top-tier security solutions. Our close collaboration with Azure's development teams ensures that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements and security practices.
- Commitment to Research Excellence: Our solutions are precisely aligned with your research processes, facilitating smooth adoption and efficient management of both data and collaborative projects. Our team of ResOps (Research Operations), Cloud Engineering and scientific experts are ready to assist in elevating your research capabilities.
- Cloud and Research Operations Mastery: With our reputation for building and managing sophisticated Cloud and HPC environments, our focus is on enhancing your efficiency by streamlining critical processes and delivering scalable infrastructure tailored to the evolving demands of modern scientific research and Data Science.
- Knowledge Transfer: Supporting the research community by completing the transfer of IT knowledge so your institution can retain on-going in-house skill to eliminate any delays or roadblocks for the future.
FAQs
There is a core to the TRE which is required for data security and regulatory compliance. Although this cannot be altered, our consultants can work with you to tailor your research workspaces with the tools and libraries most appropriate for your work.
The Azure TRE environment leverages Azure secure computing and networking to keep project workspaces separate and enhances this with workflows and an Airlock concept that facilitates the secure transfer of data into and out of the environment.
Yes. Although many research projects start out at Desktop scale analysis with R and Python workflows, we can help you scale up your analysis to cope with large volumes of data by integrating secure HPC, secure Azure Batch and secure AI all within the secure air-gapped workspaces.
Researchers and administrators can select from a wide range of Virtual Machine (VM) types and processing tools appropriate to the nature of the analysis. Our consultants can help you evaluate these to make the most appropriate decision based on your research use cases.
We provide a full package of training and support around TRE use, ranging from best practices to additional consultancy services to help you integrate the TRE into your existing data management processes. We can provide a full package of Data Science and Research Software Engineering training and support to help your team get the most from your TRE investment.
Yes. The Azure TRE is fully extensible and, as an Open-Source project, is easily adapted to add extra features or dashboards. We can work with you to tailor the TRE to your exact needs.
Explore Our Range of HPC Consultancy Services
Strategy & Planning
Develop an HPC strategy that meets the current and future
needs of all users and includes securing funding for a sustainable solution.
Procurement
Managing the complex process of HPC technical specifications, as in-depth as required, to deliver the right solution, on time and in budget.
Implementation
Reduce downtime, mitigate risk, improve performance and ensure reliability to enhance business productivity.
Expansion & Optimisation
Understand your workflows, the ratio of computational intensity vs data intensity, test performance, speed, agility, whilst analysing all HPC costs to understand its true value.
Maintenance & Support
Boost productivity with our HPC Cloud Computing services, including expert support, system management and research engineering.
Cloud Consultancy
Understand the value of cloud computing for both businesses and users through enhanced capability, workload optimisation, and increased productivity.
Related Resources
Unleashing Research Potential
In today’s data-driven world, researchers across diverse fields are pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Find out how HPC is revolutionising research.
High-performance computing in universities has a brain drain
An exodus of talent to the private sector threatens to undermine research, says Owen Thomas.
Principal Consultant talking HPC
What drives a High-Performance Computing expert to deliver the best service.
Certifications
Get the latest HPC insights delivered straight to you
Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest news and advancements in High-Performance Computing.
