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sciebo

Overleaf Compilation Disabled
[April 30, 2026] Overleaf compilation has been temporarily disabled due to the "Copy-Fail" security vulnerability CVE-2026-31431. Projects can still be downloaded and edited.
Work is already underway to resolve the issue.

For more information, visit the sciebo blog.

  • sciebo is a free non-profit cloud service for research and teaching.
  • Data is stored and processed exclusively at three locations in North Rhine-Westphalia including Münster, Bonn and Duisburg-Essen. This means that data is subject to the strict level of protection provided by German data protection laws.
  • With sciebo, users can synchronize files between end devices automatically.
  • Access to files can also be granted by sharing links.
  • sciebo can be used via a client or through the web interface.
  • The service is jointly operated by 22 universities in NRW and funded by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • You can register on sciebo with a personal account or student account. Guest accounts cannot register on sciebo.

How It Works

sciebo (or "Hochschulcloud.NRW") is not just a service for storing files in the cloud; it also offers two additional convenient features:

  • Synchronization: Using the client software, files can be automatically synchronized across various devices (such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets). Additionally, the files can be accessed from anywhere via a web browser.
    Example of use: Selected files can be kept in sync between your work computer and your home laptop.
  • Sharing: With sciebo, folders and files can be made available to other University of Cologne employees as well as external users via sharing. With the appropriate permissions, external users can even upload files to the folders shared with them. In addition, a password and an expiration date can be set for each shared resource.
    Example of use: Exchanging data between a department and individuals outside the University of Cologne for a project.
    Information on sharing can be found at: https://hochschulcloud.nrw/de/hilfe/webinterface/

What is sciebo not intended for?
Please do not use sciebo as a backup solution for your files! Why?
—When you use the client, files are automatically synchronized. If these files are deleted from your computer, they will also be unavailable on sciebo.
—sciebo does not create backups of your files. If you delete files, they can only be

restored to a limited extent via the Recycle Bin. You can find information about file backup options here.
Further usage guidelines for sciebo (for example: what types of data you are permitted to store) can be found here.

Comparison of Employee and Student Accounts

Student Account

✔ 30 GB of storage space, expandable to 60 GB
✗ Cannot apply for a sciebo project box
✗ Cannot set up guest accounts

Staff Account

✔ 30 GB storage space, expandable
to 500 GB ✔ Can
apply for sciebo project boxes ✔ Can set up guest accounts

Instructions and Additional Information

Instructions for the sciebo-client

More

Contact
If you have any questions or require individual support, please contact the ITCC helpdesk.