Data management

SD Connect and SD Desktop major service upgrade, 09.2026

A new version of SD Connect and SD Desktop is now available. The upgrade introduces significant improvements, but some changes require users to take action to continue using certain features.

Please review the following information and guides.

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Sensitive Data (SD) Desktop service: billing changes and export process update, 05.2026

Billing Units for external volumes: applies to all CSC project types (Academic & Secondary Use) with SD desktop service enabled

Starting June 3, 2026, SD Desktop external volumes will begin consuming Cloud Billing Units from your CSC project. Please ensure you have sufficient Billing Units for the next 5–6 months.

Changes to data export: apply only to Secondary Use CSC projects type with SD Desktop service enabled

The process for exporting results from SD Desktop within Secondary Use projects has changed as of May 1, 2026. Amendments to the Secondary Use Act that took effect on May 1, 2026, have changed Findata Authority’s approach to ensuring the anonymity of exported results. Findata has adopted a risk-based assessment model, and the SD Desktop export process has been updated accordingly.

What this means in practice: CSC no longer submits results to Findata for scrutiny on behalf of researchers

Researchers must: Complete a risk-based assessment on Findata’s website before exporting results. Notify Findata of all results to be exported. Findata may request results for scrutiny if there is a high risk of identifying individuals.

The Kaivos database service has been decommissioned, 2.1.2026

The Kaivos database service has been decommissioned. The service is replaced by Pukki DBaaS. Instructions related to the use of Pukki can be found in the Pukki user guide.

Sensitive Data (SD) Desktop: Data gateway error workaround, 7.11.2025

The Data Gateway application can no longer be opened on all virtual desktops created before November 5, 2025 and shows the error: "Initializing Data Gateway failed." A one time workaround is available and must be applied by each virtual desktop user.

The Kaivos database service will be decommissioned by the end of the year 2025

The Kaivos database service will be decommissioned by the end of the year 2025. The Kaivos database service is no longer available to new users. The service will be replaced by Pukki database service. Instructions related to the use of Pukki database service can be found in the Pukki user guide.

Sensitive Data (SD) Desktop export problem: quick workaround, 18.8.2025

Virtual desktops created before August 2025 display an incorrect error that blocks data export via the Data Gateway application and programmatically, even when accessed by the CSC Project Manager.
To resolve this issue, a one time workaround is available. It must be applied per virtual desktop, either via graphical interfaces (Data Gateway and SD Tool Installer) or programmatically.

Sensitive Data (SD) Connect: new command line tools for automated key management, 02.2025

We are excited to announce that, starting February 2025, new command line tools are available for automated key management with SD Connect. These tools allow you to upload and download files (using a-commands) and manage encryption keys automatically (using lock-unlock commands). After encrypting and uploading data programmatically, you can access it via the SD Connect user interface or SD Desktop. Please note that these tools require coding skills. A step-by-step guide is provided below to help you get started.

Important: files uploaded programmratically before February 2025 were manually encrypted with your encryption key and will require manual decryption after download.

Continue reading: user guide

For questions, support or training, don't hesitate to contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi (subject: SD Connect)

SD Desktop, upgrade Heavy Computation option, 15.01.2025

We have updated the Heavy Computation virtual desktop option with the following specifications:

Cores: 28 (previously 32)
Memory: 176 GB (previously 116)
Root Disk: 80 GB
Identifier: hpc.6.28 core (previously 5.32)
Cost: 65 Billing Units/hour (previously 52)

This change only affects new virtual desktops created after January 15.

Existing virtual desktops are not affected and will continue to operate as usual.

SD Connect major upgrade, 7.10.2024

On Monday October 7 SD Connect service has been upgraded. Please note, this upgrade will not affect your data. Files stored in SD Connect will remain accessible after the service break, but a new encryption protocol will be applied for new uploads. The new version is compatible with the current one, but there are four actions required on your part:

Service access: Apply for SD Connect service access at MyCSC portal and accept the terms of use. Note: Only the project PI can enable the service, but all project members must accept the terms of use.
MFA: Ensure that Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is enabled on your CSC profile. Note: If you are using SD Desktop, MFA is already enabled, and no further action is needed.
Syncing: Once the service break is over, log in to the service and keep the user interface open for 5 minutes to allow for syncing. After this, you will have access to all files stored in SD Connect.
Shared folders: Uploading or downloading data from folders shared in the previous service version will no longer be possible. To re-enable it, please update the sharing permissions by following these steps.

New Key Features:

New user interface: more intuitive design for easier navigation.
Automated encryption and decryption: automatic encryption during uploads and decryption during downloads, with key management available through the user interface (for files up to 100 GB) or programmatically using SD-lock SD-unlock tools.
Enhanced security: Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for added security.
Flexible sharing permissions: Three levels of sharing permissions available.

Updated user guide and video tutorials.

Limitations:

Double login required: Due to ongoing technical challenges, a double login is necessary to access the service. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Manual decryption: Data uploaded with the previous version of SD Connect will not be automatically decrypted during download with version 2
Browser Recommendation: For optimal performance, we recommend using Google Chrome. Firefox is also supported.

Support:

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact CSC Service Desk (subject: Sensitive Data).
Join us every Wednesday for the CSC Research Support Coffee session at 14:00 Finnish time for questions and support: Zoom Link. For more information, visit our training calendar.

SD Connect Downloading via Firefox: troubleshooting

Firefox is a supported browser; however you might encounter issues where the download does not start.

If this is your first time using the service, or if you have cleared your browser history and cookies, a pop-up may appear asking you to accept cookies. This pop-up only appears when you click on Download and may not be immediately visible, as it appears on the top bar of the browser. Please click Accept to enable the download to start."

If you have used the service before, but the download suddenly no longer starts, follow these steps (this process only needs to be done once):

In your browser, click Tools > Browser Tools > Web Developer Tools (or on your keyboard press F12 for Windows or Fn+F12 on your Mac).
A new window will open at the bottom of your browser. Click Application tab.
Next to Service Worker, click Unregister.
You can close Web Developer Tools window.
Refresh your browser and download files.

SD Connect download via Firefox

SD Desktop: CentOS 7 will no longer be supported after June 2024

We are implementing a security update for our virtual desktop operating system. As part of this update, the old operating system known as Linux CentOS 7 will no longer be supported after June 2024. Instead, we'll be transitioning exclusively to an operating system called Ubuntu for our virtual desktops.

If you're currently using a virtual desktop with CentOS 7 and anticipate running your analyses beyond June, please reach out to us at servicedesk@csc.fi subject: Sensitive data. We will assist you in evaluating whether there is a need to transition to a new virtual desktop and provide assistance with creating a plan for transferring your data and results accordingly.

SD Desktop copy-paste functionality via Clipboard is now available, 7.3.2024

Copy-paste functionality via Clipboard -feature is now available in your virtual desktop, enabling easy transfer of text from your computer to your secure environment: Copy-paste instructions for SD Desktop.

The Clipboard acts as a secure intermediary, facilitating the one-way transfer of data from your laptop to the virtual desktop, guaranteeing that copied text remains isolated from other processes and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.
As a reminder, data exports from the virtual desktop are possible via the Data Gateway, and they are managed by the project manager or CSC's helpdesk. For more information please see Export data from SD Desktop.

SD Connect (Beta) now available, 13.12.2023

A new version of SD Connect is now available for testing purposes. The updated user interface offers automated file encryption and decryption (up to 100 GB) along with key management. Additionally, three levels of sharing permissions are accessible across CSC projects. This version is in Open Beta. Kindly use it for testing scenarios and avoid relying on it for storing critical data until it transitions to a stable release. Please provide feedback by contacting CSC Service Desk (subject: Sensitive Data) to contribute to service improvement.

User guide is available here

SD Desktop and SD Connect: service usage restrictions and CSC project closure, 8.9.2023

As of September 6, 2023, we have introduced two significant changes to our service usage according to CSC's data retention policies, which are currently in effect:

Billing Unit consumption: when all Billing Units allocated to a CSC project have been consumed, access to the SD Desktop service will be restricted, and virtual desktops associated with the project will be automatically paused. This means that users will temporarily lose access to the SD Desktop service until additional Billing Units are allocated to the project.
CSC Project closure: content stored within the SD Desktop and SD Connect services is subject to permanent deletion 90 days after the closure of a CSC project. It is important to note that once data is deleted, it cannot be restored.

To ensure that you are well-informed about these changes and your account status, all project members will receive email notifications when Billing Units have been consumed and when a CSC project is scheduled for closure.

SD Desktop: Ubuntu OS now available, 8.9.2023

You can now select the Ubuntu virtual desktop environment when creating a virtual desktop, alongside CentOS 7.

Technical issues on SD Connect: follow up 2.2.2023

Files uploaded using the SD Connect automated encryption option between November 2, 2022, and December 20, 2022, might be corrupted. During the upload phase files are split into short segments, and in some cases, due to a technical issue, the correct segment's order has been lost, making the files unreadable. Therefore, if you have used this function, we advise you to upload a new copy of the files. If this is not possible, don't hesitate to contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi. We will evaluate individual cases to determine if the files can be retrieved. Currently, SD Connect automated encryption is supported only for files < 1GB.

SD Desktop is a certified environment for data processing under the Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data. However, the services provided for this purpose have specific limitations compared to the standard service.