SURF

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

SURF provides a cooperative ICT infrastructure and services for education and research institutions in the Netherlands to enable better and more flexible education and research.

Target Customer

SURF-leden and other educational and research institutions; students, teachers, researchers, and staff who need access to systems and services across multiple institutions.

Key Differentiator

Sector-wide, collaborative ICT infrastructure with standardized identity and access management, secure network connectivity, shared procurement, and a privacy-focused approach; emphasizes cooperation, standardization, and trust across institutions; includes options like eduID, SURFconext, SRAM and self-sovereign identity concepts.

Implementation Timeline

Not specified

Pain Points

1Need for secure, simple access to systems and online services across multiple institutions.
2Managing identities and access across diverse systems and organizations.
3Securely sharing and accessing data, and connecting to HPC, storage, and research platforms.
4Coordinating procurement and ensuring cost efficiency across many institutions.

Key Features

1Identity and access management services (eduID, SURFconext, SURF Research Access Management).
2SURFsecureID for secure identity infrastructure; single reliable identity for multiple services.
3Network connectivity and security (eduroam, SURFfirewall, Internet, EVPN, SURFwireless).
4Storage, data management, and publishing tools (SURFdrive, SURFfilesender, Data Repository, Object Store, RDM Storage).
5High-performance computing and HPC cloud offerings (Snellius, LUMI, SURF Research Cloud, Jupyter for Education).
6URL shortening for education/research (edu.nl) with privacy safeguards and SURFconext integration.

Target Customer Industries

Client Results

1Researchers gain control over project access, including external researchers, via SURF Research Access Management.
2Institutions can provide secure, interoperable access to digital resources and services with a single trusted identity.
3Organizations can leverage joint procurement and shared services to optimize ICT costs and capabilities.

Competitive Advantages

1Privacy-forward design: edu.nl is privacy-friendly, does not track visitors, and uses a persistent pseudonym via SURFconext.
2Single sign-on and simplified access: SURFconext enables access to multiple services with one login.
3No personal data stored for edu.nl; only aggregated click data is used; aligns with privacy requirements.
4Cost-free for SURF-leden to use edu.nl; built on open standards and secure by design.
5National and international collaboration through SURF networks and standards.

Key Benefits

1Eenvoudige, veilige toegang tot meerdere systemen via één digitale identiteit.

2Privacy-vooropgezette oplossingen en minimale privacy-impact (edu.nl).

3Kostenefficiënte inkoop en gecombineerde ICT-diensten door samenwerking.

4Toegang tot HPC, cloud, opslag en publicatie-platformen voor onderzoek en onderwijs.

5Betrouwbare netwerken en beveiliging voor onderwijs- en onderzoeksomgevingen.

Case Studies & Success Stories

SURF Identity & Access Unconference

Case #1

Terugblik 30 oktober 2024; Naturalis en SURF Research Access Management helpen onderzoekers regie over hun projecten.

Internationale samenwerking in kankeronderzoek

Case #2

Samen aanjagen van vernieuwing (praktijkvoorbeeld van identiteits- en toegangsbeheer in cancer research collaborations).

Met eduID eenvoudig inschrijven voor een minor bij de LDE-alliantie

Case #3

Praktijkvoorbeeld van eduID inzet voor het inschrijven bij onderwijsallianties.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

SURF is de ict-coöperatie van onderwijs en onderzoek in Nederland, die diensten levert zoals identiteits- en toegangsbeheer, inkoop en distributie, beveiliging, netwerkconnectiviteit, opslag en datamanagement, publiceren, en HPC/Cloud oplossingen.

Target Market

Nederlandse onderwijs- en onderzoeksinstellingen (SURF-leden en andere instellingen uit onderwijs en onderzoek).

Unique Value Proposition

Een sectorbrede, samenwerkende ICT-infrastructuur met standaardisatie en vertrouwen, privacy-respecterende oplossingen (zoals edu.nl), en toegang tot gevorderde computing, data-infrastructuur en beveiliging—alles geïntegreerd via SURF-conext en verwante services.

Technical Requirements

Edu.nl vereist koppeling aan SURFconext; SURFdiensten maken gebruik van open standaarden; EDU/Identity services zoals eduID, SRAM en SURFconext zijn onderdeel van implementatie.

Pricing Model

Edu.nl is kosteloos beschikbaar voor instellingen aangesloten bij SURF; overige prijzen/voorwaarden niet gespecificeerd in de content.

Companies Solving Similar Problems

Based on matching: problems solved, key features, industries

Y Combinator

Y Combinator helps startups make something people want by providing early-stage funding, mentorship, and a strong network.

Technology

E-commerce

Dell Technology Solutions

Dell provides technology solutions, services, and support, offering a wide range of products including laptops, desktops, servers, storage, monitors, gaming accessories, and more.

Healthcare

Finance

BuiltWith Web Technology Usage Trends

BuiltWith provides detailed web technology usage statistics and insights for businesses and developers.

Technology

E-commerce

SentientJobs

SentientJobs provides a comprehensive job board for AI, human, and hybrid positions, helping individuals find career opportunities in the evolving workforce landscape.