The Secure Data Service is an ESRC-funded service established to give qualified researchers safe, secure and free access to sensitive or confidential data that cannot be released under current End User Licence or Special Licence agreements.

Established at the UK Data Archve in late 2009 and developed during an extended pilot phase, the Secure Data Service is carefully designed to allow researchers to realise the full value of this important data while protecting the privacy of individuals and organisations.

It will move to a full service on 29 March 2011, supported with an online data catalogue, public website and specialised training for approved and accredited researchers.

How the data are secure

The Secure Data Service is made possible with funding from the ESRC and with support and advice from the Office for National Statistics along with data archives and technology experts from across Europe.

The Service is built on a security philosophy that includes both data technology and individual responsibilities. The system uses a secure Citrix server, as used in the banking and military sectors. In addition, the Archive has been certified for its secure data handling procedures under the ISO 27001 standard.

Researchers must apply to become a member of the Secure Data Service, which includes becoming an Approved or Accredited Researcher according to criteria set out by the Office for National Statistics and the ESRC. They must also endorse a code of conduct that puts data security at the centre of all research activities.

They will be supported with personalised face-to-face training on the laws surrounding research data, secure data handling and statistical disclosure control. To reduce the motivation to move data to a familiar desktop for analysis, they will be able to access Secure Data Sservice data from their own higher education or research institution using secure remote technology. These measures are backed with meaningful penalties for any breaches.

Data available

The Secure Data Service currently provides access to detailed social and health data, including versions of the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society, with grid-references for each respondent. We anticipate that the service will also provide access to the business and economic microdata collections currently available only from the ONS Virtual Microdata Laboratory.

Archive contribution

The UK Data Archive holds the ESRC award, and directs and manages the work of the SDS.

Principal investigator:  Melanie Wright
Funder: ESRC
Dates: January 2009
Contact:  Secure Data Service help desk
Links:  Secure Data Service