The center has a dedicated secure server that enables researchers and collaborators to access and analyze confidential information. Currently the server is host to over 25 different projects representing 10+ principal investigators.  In total around 40 researchers, staff and students have access to the server at any given time.

There server contains data from various sources, such as SEER-Medicare and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), containing security measures necessary to secure DUA approval.  For analysis, the server currently hosts SAS, R / R Studio, Python, and Stata, and additional software can be added to meet investigator needs.

The HERCe data server was recently approved for the new CMS Data Management Plan (DMP) Self-Attestation Questionnaire (SAQ).  The DMP SAQ is a new method of approval for CMS DUA requests and applies to the environment the data will be located on.  The approval means the HERCe data server has been approved to host CMS data. The DMP SAQ is reviewed yearly and HERCe staff and CPH IT have formed a good working relationship with CMS to help maintain this access going forward.

If you would like more information on the HERCe server please contact us at cph-herce@uiowa.edu.