External Users of the Transfer Server

Owned by Martin Keen
Last updated: Apr 24, 2023 by Dave Clarke
2 min read

Purpose of this Guide

The University of Cambridge's Clinical School operates a 'Secure Transfer' server - https://sdhstransfer.medschl.cam.ac.uk - for transferring sensitive personal data between sites - such as between clinics and researchers. If you have received this guide you have been nominated by a study Data Manager as an external collaborator on a research study. This guide tells you how to manage your account with us.

If you have any problems with the service, you can contact the Clinical School Computing Service Service (CSCS) desk on servicedesk@medschl.cam.ac.uk or by phoning 01223 336261. If you believe you have received this in error please contact us immediately so that we can confirm with the Data Manager.

Completing Your Account Setup

Before you can use the Transfer Server you must set a strong password for your account. You will be prompted to do this when you log into the Transfer Server for the first time via https://sdhstransfer.medschl.cam.ac.uk

Creating a Strong Password

Since this system deals with sensitive personal data a long password is required; 15 characters is the minimum length. You do not need to use any numbers, capitals or symbols, but your password will be stronger if you do. Modern practice is to use a passphrase as these are easier for humans to remember, but still hard for a computer to guess. It's important that the passphrase should be personal - it should not be a well known saying or phrase as these are also used as guesses by hackers.

Obviously, CSCS will never ask you for your password.

If you later wish to change your password...

  1. Visit https://sspp.medschl.cam.ac.uk/
  2. Into the Login field, enter your username - this will be in the format firstname.lastname.
  3. Into the Old Password field enter your current password
  4. Enter your new password in the New Password and Confirm fields
  5. Enter the reCaptcha text
  6. Click Send
  7. Your password will be updated within one minute and you will then be able to use the Transfer Server.


If you have forgotten your password...

If you have forgotten your password, please email servicedesk@medschl.cam.ac.uk from the email account that you received the initial confirmation / invitation to use this service. As long as the the addresses match we will reset the account password.

You will then need to set a new password at https://sspp.medschl.cam.ac.uk

After having reset your password you will then be able to use the Transfer Server.


General guidance for using the Transfer Server

We have published a number of guides for how to use the Transfer Server which we strongly suggest you read. They can be found here: https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/l/cp/p1AzbSv8