Secure Data Service
Introduction
The Secure Data Service (SDS) empowers the work of UK social science researchers by providing secure access to data that are too detailed, sensitive or confidential to be made available under the standard licences operated by the Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS). The SDS works closely with data producers, such as government departments and higher education research centres, to provide restricted access to securely stored confidential, sensitive, and potentially disclosive data in the fields of social science, economics, and humanities.
Secure Data Service data cannot be downloaded. Researchers can analyse the data held by the SDS remotely from their home institution at their desktop or in a safe room.
Available datasets
The Secure Data Service makes available quantitative social survey and business data deemed too sensitive, detailed, confidential or potentially disclosive to be made available under the standard licensing and dissemination arrangements associated with other data held by the UK Data Archive. The study data sets typically include low-level geographies, single age groups, detailed industry and occupation codes, etc.
The data are typically classified as ‘Personal Information’ i.e. information that relates to and identifies an individual (including a body corporate) taking into account other information derived from published sources. Examples of datasets held in the SDS include:
- British Household Panel Survey
- Quarterly Labour Force Survey
- Annual Population Survey
Data deposit
Data holding organisations can apply to entrust their data at the SDS where it cannot be made available under standard UK Data Archive licensing arrangements. This might include datasets that increase the likelihood of being able to identify an individual in the data, or hold commercial or other sensitive data.
Matching other data sources
Users can send their own data to be matched with data held at the SDS, subject to approval. A form must be completed in the first instance and further details are available on the SDS website.
Software in the SDS
The data are available in SPSS, Stata and tab-delimited formats and can be made available in SAS format upon request.
Data access
Access to SDS data is free but you need to complete the following steps:
1. Register with the Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) by completing their online form and agreeing to their end user licence. You can register here.
2.Browse and order SDS datasets through the ESDS website here. A catalogue of datasets held by the SDS is also available here.
3.Complete the appropriate Approved/Accredited Researcher form detailed when ordering from the ESDS website. You may need to provide the contact details of a senior member of staff who can vouch for you. Forms must be filled out by all individuals requiring access to the data, and for all research projects for which Secure Data Service data are required. This process can take up to 4 weeks.
4. If your application is successful sign an SDS agreement form which outlines terms and conditions of use.
5. Attend a SDS training session if this is the first time you are using the SDS or last completed a course more than two years ago.
6. The SDS will then send you information on how to access the data remotely that you are authorised to use.
Further information is available from the SDS website here.
Contact information
For more information about the SDS you can:
1. Phone the SDS on 01206 874968.
2. Email the SDS at securedata@data-archive.ac.uk.
3. Visit the SDS website at http://securedata.data-archive.ac.uk/
4. Write to the SDS at Secure Data Service, UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ.
You can now:
