Cloud computing  is the provision of IT services and IT infrastructure from a “data cloud” via a network. Particularly in an academic context, data security, data encryption and data confidentiality are extremely important. All cloud data at the URZ is securely stored on our servers on the Heidelberg University Campus and can be accessed fully encrypted via the university network or externally via VPN connection. Thereby, our services offer a research-oriented, transparent and reliable alternative to commercial offerings.