Ohio State Azure
The Ohio State University has a formal relationship with Microsoft Azure. Ohio State Azure services are available to Ohio State employees.
Microsoft Azure is a private and public cloud platform that provides a set of services that allow you to build, manage and deploy applications on a massive, global network using your favorite tools and frameworks. Applications may include any program or piece of software designed and written to fulfill a particular purpose for the user.
OTDI offers a university-configured Microsoft Azure service to faculty and staff for approved university business. Ohio State adds the following features to the standard offering:
- Integrated billing – your charges will be paid from your Ohio State account;
- Access to special training events;
- Access to Microsoft support specialists.
We have implemented security and account management practices, defined billing processes and organed training opportunities and resources for users. We are working to transfer existing faculty and staff Azure accounts to the university enrollment.
To learn more about the Ohio State Azure offering view the service offering details.
Ohio State does have a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Microsoft. However, until we conduct a complete security review, users may NOT store Protected Health Information (PHI) in Azure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I request an Ohio State Azure subscription?
Please refer to the Ohio State Azure Readiness Checklist for instructions.
Can PHI be stored and shared on Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is currently being reviewed by our security team. At this time, no Personal Health Information (PHI) may be stored in Microsoft Azure.
How do I get assistance with questions about Azure?
Email Azure Service Owner Brant Thomas with feedback or questions. Emails will be addressed in a timely manner.
What can I do to prepare for Azure before I get my subscription?
First, get ready for Azure by becoming familiar with the Ohio State Azure Successful Six.
Next, look at Ohio State policies about using technology services. The information below are examples of how those policies apply to using Azure. If you need more information, visit the Issuing Office | University Policies (osu.edu).
- Understand appropriate use. Review the following documentation:
- University Institutional Data Policy (IDP). Self-enroll and complete the IDP training if you have not done so already. Microsoft Azure is currently being reviewed by our security team. At this time, no Personal Health Information (PHI) may be stored in Microsoft Azure.
- Responsible Use of University Computing and Network Resources
- Explore Azure learning paths. Do you plan to use Azure to develop blockchain apps? Are you more interested in creating containers? Or maybe you just want to learn the fundamentals. Learn practical skills through Microsoft's many Azure learning paths. In addition to Microsoft’s training, the internet offers a wealth of information about how people are using Azure.
- Take your learning and professional development to the next level. Take advantage of the many training resources Microsoft has available, including their certification program. You can achieve certification either Azure Fundamentals or in specific role-based learning paths.
- Identify potential use cases. Not every workload is appropriate for the cloud, and different cloud tools are a better fit for specific projects. Identify potential use cases. Assess the business purpose for each case, understand the data that will be used, and work with your IT staff to determine if your use case is appropriate for Azure. Several analysts offer lists of key questions to ask and answer ahead of moving workloads to the cloud, for example:
Who can use Microsoft Azure?
Once available, Microsoft Azure can be used by Ohio State employees for university purposes. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has not approved use of Azure by medical center staff. For more details about Azure, contact the medical center’s Help Desk at 614-293-3861.
I am a student. Can I use Ohio State’s Azure instance?
Currently, Microsoft Azure can be used only by Ohio State employees for university purposes. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has not approved use of Azure by medical center staff. For more details about Azure, contact the medical center’s Help Desk at 614-293-3861.
How can I predict costs? Are there Cost Tools or a Cost Calculator?
Each user is responsible for managing their costs for using the Ohio State Azure Service. You are responsible for the payment of all billable Azure Services consumed. Assume every Azure service that you have enabled is charging you even when you are not using it. To guard against runaway bills, be sure to turn off Azure services when they are not in use. You can set some services, like virtual machines (VMs), to automatically turn off/shut down during off-hours. Be sure to take advantage of all the cost management tools that are available to anticipate and control costs. Here are a few:
- Azure Pricing Calculator - Use this tool to estimate your up-front cloud costs.
- Azure Migrate - Assess your current datacenter workload for insights about what's needed from an Azure replacement solution.
- Azure Advisor - Identify unused VMs and receive recommendations about Azure reserved instance purchases.
- Azure Hybrid Benefit - Use your current on-premises Windows Server or SQL Server licenses for VMs in Azure to save.
- Analyze Costs - Start using Azure Cost Management
- Azure Cost Management Best Practices - How to optimize your cloud investment with Azure Cost Management
Security Matters
Don't forget to build your services with security in mind from the beginning. You are responsible for security standards when building services in Azure.
Key References
- Azure Operational Security Checklist
- Security Best Practices for Azure
- Ohio State Institutional Data Policy
- Ohio State Information Security Framework
- Azure Security Center: Learn about unified security management and advanced threat protection resources.
- Azure Advisor:Review recommendations in Azure Advisor.
Key Resources
- There are numerous Azure services, but not all are approved by Ohio State Risk Management
- Azure QuickStart Templates
- Azure Blueprints
- Security Advisories and Bulletins
- Azure Documentation
- Microsoft Azure Legal Information
- Introduction to Azure Security
Explore and Learn
The resources below represent a handful of key locations to use and bookmark:
- Ohio State Azure: Successful Six: Six things you should do before using Ohio State Azure services.
- Azure Training and Education Options: visit our Knowledge Base for a list of Azure training resources.
- Microsoft Azure Resources: you can review white papers, templates, videos and more to help you get started.
- Get started with Azure
- Azure Documentation
- Microsoft Azure - YouTube: visit or subscribe to the Azure channel for news demos, training and more.
- Microsoft Azure for Research
- Microsoft Azure High-Performance Computing
- Microsoft Azure for Higher Education: achieve better learning outcomes through technology
- Azure Hour for Education: is a weekly webinar with demos and news about Azure
- Azure Learner Experience Portal is a simple, one-stop shop to start or continue your Azure training. Also called LxP, it can be accessed through Microsoft's site. Learn how to access it for self-paced learning online, register for instructor-led classes, schedule your Azure certification exams at no cost, and much more.
Best Practices
Following cloud best practices will help you get the most out of Azure and reduce the potential of a security breach.
- Using Azure Groups to Manage RBAC Role Assignments: Visit our Knowledge Base to learn how Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) helps you manage who has access to Azure resources.
- Use Cost Management Tools: predict and control costs.
- Use Azure Security Advisor: see the "Security Matters" section for additional security resources.
- Use Resource Groups: A resource group is a container that holds any project resources that you wish to manage as a team.
- Use Azure Blueprints to ensure you cover all project requirements.
- Use Policies: Azure Policy
- Use Microsoft Tags: Tagging on Compute, Network and Storage Resources
- Review the Azure Advisor Portal on a regular basis to learn about the key capabilities and answers to FAQs