Research Compute Environment

Overview

ELIXIR Luxembourg’s Research Compute Environment (RCE) provides a secure, isolated computing infrastructure for sensitive research data processing. Our motto is simple: “Bring your data and users, and process it securely” in an environment with no internet access and stringent security controls.

Purpose

The RCE service is designed to support researchers and institutions working with sensitive or confidential data that requires enhanced security measures. This includes:

  • Biomedical research data requiring compliance with data protection regulations
  • Genomic or clinical data with privacy considerations
  • Collaborative research where data cannot leave secure boundaries
  • High-security projects requiring isolated computing environments

The RCE provides the technical foundation for a secure processing environment (SPE) or Trusted Research Environment (TRE), specifically addressing the Safe Settings dimension of the Five Safes framework. However, it is not sufficient on its own. A complete TRE requires additional organisational measures to cover the remaining four dimensions: Safe People (vetting and training of researchers), Safe Projects (ethical and legal approval of research activities), Safe Data (de-identification and data minimisation before ingestion), and Safe Outputs (review and approval of results before they leave the environment).

Key Features

  • Isolated Infrastructure - Completely segregated from the internet, minimizing security risks
  • User Access Control - Secure user provisioning and authentication
  • Data Processing - Powerful computational resources for analysis within the secure environment
  • Compliance Ready - Designed to support regulatory compliance requirements

For National Stakeholders

The RCE service is primarily available to national stakeholders and partners of ELIXIR Luxembourg. Organizations interested in utilizing the service should contact us for more information about eligibility and access.

Technical Infrastructure

The service leverages specialized tools and technologies:

  • RedHat Identity Management - User management and access authorisation
  • Apache Guacamole - Remote access gateway for user interactions
  • OpenStack - On-prem private cloud infrastructure

Access and Terms

Organizations wishing to use the RCE service must agree to the Terms of Service and execute a server access agreement. These documents outline security requirements, data handling policies, and user responsibilities.