Department of Information Technology is promoting the efficiency of research and related works by providing IT infrastructure (equipment and facilities necessary for providing IT services) and various application services (a generic term for software that provides services to users, such as spreadsheets and word processors) to satisfy the various needs of all researchers and general employees of RERF. Specifically, it develops and safely operates the in-house network infrastructure, including constructing a wide area network connecting Hiroshima and Nagasaki Laboratories. Furthermore, it designs and operates database systems to properly manage high-volume information assets obtained through various surveys, experiments, and research conducted by each department, and develops applications to efficiently utilize them. In addition, we are focusing on protecting the large amounts of sensitive electronic information (information that can be handled on PCs as strictly designated under the Personal Information Protection Law) contained in these assets from external threats such as unauthorized access and malware (a generic term for programs harm users, for example, by destroying or leaking their information).

RERF has a large collection of books, published papers, and historical materials inherited from ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission), which was established in 1947. Department of Information Technology manages these assets and will start a project to permanently archive them.

System Technology Section
The System Technology Section is planning and building an environment for a network system that covers the entire RERF premises to introduce an application system for the smooth operation of research and related work. it is also in charge of the maintenance and management of various hardware required for its operation. The hardware includes not only various servers (computers able to provide services to multiple users concurrently) and network equipment but also hundreds of personal computers used by all RERF’s staff. In addition, it will introduce, construct, and design a database system necessary for the efficient utilization of varied and high-volume information assets obtained through the research and business activities of RERF. Many research institutes often use package software (a collection of programs that were versatilely developed for a set purpose) because large-scale database design requires advanced technology. However, in order to satisfy the unique requirements of research on radiation exposure, it needs to develop most application programs in-house. In order to protect these equipment and information assets from external threats and operate them safety, carefully considered information security measures and their implementation are required. For this reason, the section is also focusing on CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) activities for the information security of RERF.

Library and Archives Section
The Library and Archives Section manages the collection of radiology-related books that it has possessed since the day of ABCC (which was the predecessor of RERF), and also manages the scientific information (research protocols, papers, presentation materials, etc.) of RERF and the historical documents inherited from ABCC. In addition, this section administers RERF’s library, which specializes in radiology and biology. Furthermore, it responds to inquiries, about the scientific information and materials it holds, from inside and outside the institute and provides materials such as copies literature.