Keeping data secure : Trusted Research Environment
The Integrated Data Service (IDS) is an accredited service under the Digital Economy Act (DEA).
The DEA supports the linking and sharing of data held by public authorities for research purposes that deliver a public benefit. It allows researchers to carry out analysis and produce outputs on projects in a Trusted Research Environment (TRE).
Trusted Research Environment
The IDS operates as a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) based on the Five Safes Framework (opens in a new tab)
The Five Safes Framework was developed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and it has become best practice in data protection.
To become an accredited researcher and access data held by the IDS, users must fulfil the requirements of the Five Safes. The Five Safes are:
- Safe People – researchers must demonstrate that they have the technical skills to use the data, complete training, and sign an agreement promising to protect data confidentiality
- Safe Projects – researchers must demonstrate that data are only used for valuable, ethical research projects that deliver clear public benefits
- Safe Settings – access to data is only possible using our secure technology systems, which include a wide range of security controls to protect the data
- Safe Outputs – all research outputs are checked to ensure they cannot identify data subjects and confidentiality standards are fulfilled
- Safe Data – researchers can only use data that have been de-identified, by removing names, addresses and other details that would directly identify the data subjects
Data owners will always determine who has access to their data and for what purpose.
Many TREs across government and academia use this framework, providing assurance for data owners and ensuring safe use of data in the environment.
All IDS users must be accredited and complete mandatory training before access to the environment is approved.