Ursa Major Guidelines

To ensure the responsible and ethical use of Ursa Major services, the following guidelines have been established. These guidelines outline the terms of access, usage, support, privacy, ownership, security, and stewardship for Ursa Major. We strongly advise all users to read and understand these guidelines before using Ursa Major services.

Access Guidelines

Eligibility

The University of California, Riverside’s Ursa Major service is available to all researchers affiliated with the university. This includes faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students affiliated with research activities . The researcher must have a campus NetID and must have completed the necessary training and DocuSign to use the Ursa Major services.

Resource Allocation

To promote fair and equitable access to Ursa Major services for all researchers, the following resource allocation approach has been established. This approach outlines the process of resource allocation, ensuring that the available resources are distributed fairly among the researchers while taking into account the specific needs and requirements of each project.

In our commitment to fostering an environment of research excellence and innovation at UCR, we’ve developed a strategic framework for the allocation of Ursa Major services. This framework is designed to ensure all researchers have equitable access to advanced cloud resources, aligning with our broader objectives of enhancing research capabilities and securing more grant funding. By prioritizing projects that demonstrate significant potential for academic and societal impact, and showcasing the transformative applications of cloud technology, we aim to optimize the distribution of resources across the research community.

This approach ensures that resources are not only allocated fairly but also used to drive forward the most impactful research projects. By doing so, we aim to not only advance UCR’s research agenda but also attract significant grant funding. This, in turn, bolsters our campus’s research infrastructure, attracts top-tier talent, and ultimately, enhances the prestige and competitiveness of UCR within the academic community.

Tiered resource allocation:

• Tiered allocation system based on factors such as project maturity, cloud experience, project timing, or project funding. Allocating more resources to time bound and/or high value resource needs. While still providing some access to resources for long running, exploratory or early-stage projects.
• Allow researchers to request an allocation for GCP resources for specific periods of time, ensuring that resources are available when needed and reducing the risk of resource contention among researchers.

  Project prioritization:

• Prioritize projects based on research impact
• Allocate resources to projects with high potential impact, innovative research projects, or those with strong potential for future funding.

  Set maximum running resource quotas per allocation:

• This can vary among projects, and would be based on requested resources, such as compute, storage, etc.

  Monitor resource usage and adjust allocations:

• Regularly monitor the usage of GCP resources by RC Team and researchers themselves to identify inefficiencies, unused allocations, or bottlenecks. Adjust the allocations based on actual usage patterns to optimize the utilization of the budget.
• This may involve reconfiguring resources in use to better fit the performance needs of the project, which may require short maintenance windows where running jobs, simulations, etc may need to be stopped to make the requisite changes.

  Continuously evaluate and optimize allocations:

• Regularly review the effectiveness of the allocation strategy and make adjustments as necessary to ensure optimal use of the GCP Subscription.

By implementing these ideas, the university can allocate the Ursa Major campus budget fairly and effectively across as many researchers as possible, maximizing the return on investment and promoting efficient use of resources.

Ursa Major Resource Allocation Framework

UCR’s strategic approach to Ursa Major resource allocation ensures equitable access for researchers, prioritizing projects with significant potential for impact. The framework supports both high-value and exploratory projects through a tiered system, optimizing cloud resource distribution and enhancing research capabilities.

• Explore Tier: Allocated 20% of our total allocation pool. Designed for novel, long-term uses without a time-bound element, encouraging exploratory and innovative research.
• Project Tier: Receives 40% to 60% of our allocation pool. This tier is both value and time-bound, intended for substantial research projects that demonstrate potential value through grants, papers, or publications. Allocation scheduling is strategic to accommodate and optimize large project resources.
• Campus Tier: Initially allocated 20% of the pool, with potential to expand to 40%. Reserved for the Campus ITS Infrastucture, this tier allows flexible usage within its limit, supporting internal technological advancements and infrastructure needs.

Obtaining a Ursa Major Resource Allocation:

1. Researchers submit an allocation request Here or through the Ursa Major section of the Research Computing Web Portal or ITS Service Now, providing essential details about their research project and the specific services required. This may include software needs, hardware requirements, storage capacity needs, etc, and length of time needed.
2. The Research Computing Team will schedule an intake meeting with the lab to understand their research needs and discuss how an Ursa Major allocation can be beneficial.
3. The Research Computing Team will review the request, considering the project’s needs, the alignment of resources and services requested, and the availability of Ursa Major resources to accommodate the proposed allocation.
4. If the request is approved, the researcher will receive a confirmation email with access instructions and follow-up meetings will be scheduled to facilitate research collaboration and support.

Monitoring Allocations:

To ensure the efficient use of resources and to support our researchers in the best possible manner, UCR’s Research Computing team has implemented a comprehensive monitoring and optimization strategy for Ursa Major resource allocations. This approach enables us to track resource usage in real-time, identify bottlenecks, and optimize allocations to support a wide range of research activities effectively.

Researchers and the ITS team can access detailed analytics and insights into their resource usage through the following Ursa Major Dashboards:

Limitations or Restrictions on Access:

1. Ursa Major services are available for research purposes only, with access limited or restricted based on specific services, campus resource allocation, and project allocation limits.
2. Researchers are expected to use the services in accordance with the University of California, Riverside’s information security guidelines and procedures.
3. The Ursa Major team reserves the right to revoke or restrict access to services if a researcher is found to be in violation of University or Ursa Major guidelines.

By implementing this fair resource allocation approach, the University ensures that Ursa Major services are accessible and supportive for all researchers while maintaining responsible usage of resources and prioritizing research collaboration.

Usage Guidelines

Ursa Major services are intended to support academic research at UCR. The services are available to UCR researchers for the purpose of advancing their research projects and producing high-quality research outcomes.

Guidelines for Appropriate Use of Ursa Major Services:

• Ursa Major services must be used for academic research purposes only and must not be used for commercial or personal purposes.
• Researchers are responsible for ensuring that their use of Ursa Major services complies with all relevant laws and regulations, including but not limited to data privacy and intellectual property laws.
• Researchers must also ensure that their use of Ursa Major services does not interfere with the normal functioning of the services or compromise the security of the data stored on the services.
• Researchers must not store or transmit any sensitive or confidential information on Ursa Major services unless they have obtained proper authorization and taken appropriate measures to protect the information.

Explanation of Consequences for Misuse of Ursa Major Services:

Misuse of Ursa Major services can have serious consequences, which may include, but is not limited to:

• Termination of access to Ursa Major services.
• Termination of allocated resources.
• Potential legal action against the researcher for violations of data privacy or intellectual property laws.
• Potential financial liability for damages caused by misuse of Ursa Major services against security guidelines.
• Reputational harm to the researcher and UCR.

The UCR Research Computing Team reserves the right to monitor and enforce this usage Guidelines, and to take appropriate action in response to any violations. Researchers who have any questions or concerns about this Guidelines are encouraged to contact the UCR Research Computing Team for clarification.

Support Guidelines

The University of California, Riverside is committed to providing its research community with the necessary support to make the most of its partnership with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) through Ursa Major. The Research Computing Team is dedicated to helping researchers overcome any technical issues they may encounter while using Ursa Major services.

Support Available to Researchers Using Ursa Major Services

The Research Computing Team is committed to providing technical support to researchers using Ursa Major services. To address any technical issues encountered while using Ursa Major services, researchers can reach out to the team for assistance. In cases requiring advanced support, the team can collaborate with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for further guidance. The Research Computing Team will respond to support issues in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place.

In order to facilitate support and collaboration, the Research Computing Team will schedule a series of meetings with the research lab. These meetings will allow for open communication, ensuring that researchers receive the necessary support and assistance throughout their projects.

While the team will provide best-effort support, it is important to note that they cannot guarantee a solution to every problem. Researchers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the resources and documentation available on the Ursa Major and GCP websites to make the most of the services offered. This information will help researchers use Ursa Major services effectively and efficiently.

Response Time and Resolution Time for Support Requests

The Research Computing Team will respond to support issues in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place.

The Research Computing Team will make every effort to respond to support requests in a timely manner. The response time will depend on the complexity of the issue and the workload of the team. Once a support request is received, the Research Computing Team will work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. The resolution time will depend on the complexity of the issue and the resources available to the team.

Escalation Process for Unresolved Support Issues

In the event that a support issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the researcher, the researcher may escalate the issue to a higher level of the Research Computing Team. The escalation process will depend on the nature of the issue and the resources available to the team. The Research Computing Team will make every effort to resolve escalated issues in a timely and satisfactory manner.

This support Guidelines is subject to change without notice. The Research Computing Team reserves the right to modify the Guidelines at any time to ensure the effective and efficient operation of Ursa Major services.

Privacy Guidelines

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is committed to protecting the privacy of its researchers and the data they store on Ursa Major services. The Research Computing Team recognizes the importance of privacy and takes necessary measures to secure the data stored on Ursa Major services. In this Guidelines, we outline the privacy practices of Ursa Major and the responsibilities of researchers in protecting the privacy of their data.

Explanation of how Ursa Major protects researcher data

Ursa Major implements strong technical, administrative, and physical security controls to protect researcher data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, and destruction. This includes access controls, encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits. The Research Computing Team also implements strict data access and sharing guidelines to ensure that researcher data is only accessed by authorized personnel for legitimate purposes.

Description of the data management and storage practices used by Ursa Major

Ursa Major uses Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for data management and storage, which provides a secure and scalable infrastructure for researcher data. Researchers can store their data in the form of research workstations, high-performance computing clusters, databases, and web servers, among other services.

Explanation of the data access and sharing guidelines for Ursa Major

Ursa Major implements strict data access and sharing guidelines to ensure that researcher data is protected. The Research Computing Team will not access or use researcher data unless necessary for the performance of their duties or in response to a valid request from law enforcement. Researchers are responsible for ensuring that their data complies with all relevant privacy laws and regulations, and for controlling access to their data. Researchers may share their data with others in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations, but must ensure that the recipients of the data have the necessary permissions and comply with the same privacy guidelines as Ursa Major.

In conclusion, Ursa Major is committed to protecting the privacy of its researchers and the data they store on its services. The Research Computing Team implements strong technical and administrative controls, as well as strict data access and sharing guidelines, to ensure that researcher data is secure and protected.

Ownership Guidelines

Ursa Major Ownership Guidelines for Research Data

The research data generated through the use of Ursa Major services is owned by the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and the researcher unless otherwise agreed upon. This ownership Guidelines applies to all research data generated by researchers at UCR, regardless of the source of funding or the type of research being conducted.

Researchers’ Rights and Responsibilities

Researchers at UCR have the right to access and use their own research data for their own research purposes, subject to any restrictions imposed by law or other agreements. They are also responsible for ensuring that the data is used in an ethical and responsible manner, in accordance with the relevant data protection and privacy regulations.

Researchers must comply with the terms and conditions of their contracts with UCR and any other agreements related to the use of Ursa Major services. They are also responsible for ensuring that the research data is securely stored and protected from unauthorized access or use.

Restrictions on the Use or Sharing of Research Data

Research data generated through the use of Ursa Major services may be subject to restrictions on its use or sharing, as determined by UCR, the source of funding, or other agreements. In such cases, researchers must comply with the relevant restrictions and obtain any necessary approvals or permissions before accessing or using the data.

It is also important to note that the hardware and systems provided by Ursa Major are owned by Google and rented by UCR. Researchers must comply with the terms and conditions of their agreements with Google and UCR, which may include restrictions on the use or sharing of the hardware or systems.

Security Guidelines

The University of California, Riverside is committed to providing secure research computing infrastructure and support services to increase innovation, breadth, and scale for UCR’s researchers through its partnership with Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The code name for this groundbreaking partnership is Ursa Major. The UCR Research Computing Team is responsible for ensuring the security of Ursa Major services and the data stored on the services.

Measures in Place to Protect the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of Researcher Data:

The UCR Research Computing Team has implemented a number of technical and administrative controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of researcher data stored on Ursa Major services. These controls include but are not limited to:

Encryption: All data stored on Ursa Major services is encrypted both at rest and in transit, to protect against unauthorized access and disclosure. Access Controls: Access to Ursa Major services and data stored on the services is strictly controlled, and is granted only to authorized researchers based on their role and need. In addition to these technical controls, the UCR Research Computing Team has established guidelines and procedures to ensure that researchers understand their responsibilities and obligations with respect to the security of the data stored on Ursa Major services.

Incident Response and Reporting Procedures for Security Incidents:

In the event of a security incident, the UCR Research Computing Team will work with Google Cloud Platform to investigate and respond to the incident, in accordance with established incident response procedures. Researchers who suspect a security incident has occurred must immediately report the incident to the UCR Research Computing Team.

The UCR Research Computing Team will also work with relevant stakeholders, including UCR’s Information Security Office and Google Cloud Platform, to ensure that appropriate remediation measures are taken, and that any necessary notifications are made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Access Control:

Access to sensitive information and data is restricted to authorized personnel only. All users are assigned unique login credentials and are required to use strong passwords. Access rights and permissions are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information and data.

Encryption:

All sensitive information and data transmitted or stored on our systems is encrypted using industry-standard encryption algorithms. This includes data transmitted over networks, stored on hard drives, and backup tapes.

Vulnerability Management:

Ursa Major Engineering regularly assesses its systems for vulnerabilities and implements patches and upgrades to address any potential risks. We also engage in regular penetration testing to identify and remediate any potential security weaknesses.

Incident Response:

In the event of a security breach, Ursa Major Engineering has an incident response plan in place to quickly contain and resolve the issue. We will also notify affected clients and users as soon as possible.

Training and Awareness:

Ursa Major Engineering provides regular training and awareness programs to educate employees on security best practices and to ensure that they are aware of the importance of protecting sensitive information and data.

The UCR Research Computing Team provides security training and awareness programs for researchers using Ursa Major services, to help ensure that they understand their responsibilities and obligations with respect to the security of the data stored on Ursa Major services.

These programs cover topics such as:

• Understanding the risks associated with storing and accessing research data on cloud services.
• Best practices for protecting confidential and sensitive research data.
• Understanding the importance of secure access controls, and the role of strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

This security Guidelines is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to protect the sensitive information and data of our clients and users. By adhering to this Guidelines, Ursa Major Engineering ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information and data.

Stewardship Guidelines

The Ursa Major system is a critical component of the research computing infrastructure and is used by a large number of researchers for data storage and analysis. In order to ensure the long-term sustainability and maintenance of these services, the Research Computing Team is responsible for the management and maintenance of Ursa Major. This Guidelines outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Research Computing Team in maintaining and updating Ursa Major services.

Responsibility for Maintenance and Management of Ursa Major Services:

The Research Computing Team is responsible for ensuring the availability and accessibility of Ursa Major services to researchers. This includes the following responsibilities:

• Monitoring the system to ensure that it is functioning properly and is available to researchers.
• Responding to any system issues or outages in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that the system is secure and protected from unauthorized access.
• Ensuring that data stored on Ursa Major is protected by the resilience of Google Cloud.
• Implementing and enforcing data retention guidelines to ensure that data is properly managed and disposed of when necessary.
• Keeping the system up-to-date with the latest software where possible.
• Providing user support and training as needed.

Processes for Updating and Upgrading Ursa Major Services:

The Research Computing Team will implement the following processes for updating and upgrading Ursa Major services:

• Keeping the system software up-to-date where possible to ensure the stability and performance of the system.
• Conducting regular testing and evaluation of new software and hardware upgrades to ensure compatibility with Ursa Major services.
• Providing regular updates to researchers on upcoming upgrades and changes to Ursa Major services.
• Coordinating with researchers to minimize the impact of upgrades on their research activities.
• Conducting regular data migrations to ensure that data is properly stored and protected.

Sustainability Plans for Ursa Major Services:

The Research Computing Team will implement the following sustainability plan for Ursa Major services:

• Help researchers develop and implement disaster recovery plans to ensure that Ursa Major services are available even in the event of a disaster. If needed by the project.
• Google ensures that the system has adequate backup power and cooling to maintain system availability during power outages or other disruptions.
• Regularly monitoring system utilization and making changes to the system as needed to ensure that it remains efficient and scalable while remaining within the lab’s allocation and the campus limits.
• Providing a researcher or lab dashboard to help show allocation and resources usage along with the value Ursa Major provides to the lab.

The Ursa Major system is a critical component of the research computing infrastructure and the Research Computing Team is responsible for ensuring its long-term sustainability and maintenance. This Guidelines outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Research Computing Team in maintaining and updating Ursa Major services and provides a framework for ensuring the sustainability and continuity of these services. By following this Guidelines, the Research Computing Team will ensure that Ursa Major service allocations are available and accessible to researchers, and that data stored on Ursa Major is protected and properly managed.

Conclusion

The impact and benefits of Ursa Major are significant and wide-ranging, from improving the quality of research outputs and enabling the discovery of new insights and knowledge, to facilitating the development of new technologies and products. Ursa Major helps UCR researchers to overcome technological limitations and enables them to engage in cutting-edge research that has the potential to make a real impact on the world.

Finally, the commitment of the UCR Research Computing Team to providing secure and impactful research computing support is commendable. Their focus on providing a reliable and secure research computing environment that supports the needs of UCR researchers is essential to advancing the university’s research mission and to fostering a thriving research community at UCR. With their dedication and expertise, the UCR Research Computing Team is ensuring that UCR remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery.