New secure research computing platforms available for large-scale data analysis

  1. Announcements
  2. New secure research computing platforms available for large-scale data analysis

[Summary: Two new research computing platforms, Hopper and SpinupPlus, are now available for analysis of large-scale, high-risk data. These platforms increase Yale’s highly secure research computing infrastructure.] 

Dear Yale Faculty, 

We are pleased to introduce two new research computing platforms that offer powerful tools for secure analysis of high-risk data. These complement the recently launched Bouchet cluster, which provides new compute servers and GPUs for general purpose computing of non-regulated data. They are: 

  • Hopper, a new cluster with an initial 60 compute nodes and more than 200 GPUs. Hopper enables advanced simulations, large-scale data analysis, and secure use of large language models for cutting-edge research.
  • SpinupPlus, an extension of Yale’s Spinup service, powered by Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) cloud-based computing platform. SpinUpPlus allows researchers to quickly launch secure, virtual servers and infrastructure for data analysis, web applications, and other research computing needs while ensuring institutional compliance and scalability. 

These systems are designed to meet the varied and evolving needs of researchers across the university and are a key component of Yale's investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, launched in 2024 to support faculty, staff, and students across disciplines in developing, using, and evaluating artificial intelligence to advance breakthrough research and scholarship. They are configured and operated to meet the highest standards of privacy, regulatory, compliance, and security controls and have been reviewed and approved by Information Security, Compliance, and IT leadership at Yale and Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS). 

Both platforms are available for production use as of July 1, 2025, and respond to the increasing need for highly secure computing environments. They meet the rigorous standards required for research involving sensitive data, including data protected under HIPAA, and adhere to NIH standards for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). YNHHS has approved these two environments for research use with YNHHS data, as they meet the requirements for research data under HIPAA. The platforms will serve as the exclusive technology environment to securely deliver YNHHS health research datasets with an approved protocol. 

Additionally, Hopper and SpinupPlus are fully compliant with the NIST 800-171 standard, which outlines the requirements that non-federal computer systems must follow to store, process, or transmit CUI or provide security protection for such systems. Compliance with NIST 800-171 is currently mandated by some government contracts and certain NIH controlled-access data sets. Faculty with NIH grants or using data originated at YNHHS should review the agency’s policy on using controlled-access data and YNHHS/Yale University policies to determine if they are subject to certain requirements for data security. Faculty using high-risk data from other sources should also consider Hopper and SpinupPlus for their computing and analysis needs. 

Both platforms will include pre-defined cost rates for usage. More information on provisional rates can be found on the Yale Center for Research Computing’s (YCRC) Hopper rate structure guide and the Yale ITS Spinup pricing guide. 

We invite members of the Yale community interested in accessing these new systems to visit the YCRC’s Hopper user guide and the Yale Hosted Resources webpage to learn more. 

We are grateful to Information Technology, the YCRC, and the Yale School of Medicine for their collaboration in further developing Yale’s secure, accessible, and state-of-the-art research computing environment tailored to the evolving needs of Yale researchers. 

Sincerely, 

Michael C. Crair 

Vice Provost for Research 

John Barden 

Vice President for Information Technology and Campus Services