Terms and conditions

The Secure Data Service holds data deemed too sensitive, detailed, confidential or potentially disclosive to be made available under the usual dissemination arrangements for standard End User Licence (EUL) or Special Licence data. SDS data are not available for download, but can be viewed and analysed from a remote computer via a full MS Windows graphical user interface once the user has successfully fulfilled all the requirements described below.

Access to SDS data is subject to the following requirements:

1. registration with the UK Data Archive/Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS) and agreement to the standard conditions of use outlined in the EUL
2. accreditation to Approved/Accredited Researcher status for the research purpose proposed
3. completion of relevant SDS training provided by the UK Data Archive
4. agreement to SDS Service Agreement

Standard conditions

During registration with the Economic and Social Data Service, every user is required to agree to an EUL outlining the standard terms and conditions of use of UK Data Archive/ESDS data. This includes, for example, promises not to share data with anyone who is not authorised to access them; not to use the data for commercial purposes, except with permission; not to try to use the data to identify individuals, households or organisations; to cite the data correctly and inform the UK Data Achive/ESDS of any publications; not to disclose personal login details to anyone else; and agreeing to meet any charges. A plain English summary of the EUL is also available.

Approved/Accredited Researcher status

The Secure Data Service provides access to a variety of sensitive datasets, both ESRC-funded or co-funded data resources, as well as data resources produced by central government departments like the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Any registered user requiring non-government SDS data must be accredited by the ESRC and the data owners as an Accredited Researcher. Registered users requiring ONS SDS data must be accredited by the UK Statistics Authority as an Approved Researcher under the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. The accreditation process is described in more detail.

The application process is user- and project-specific, and must be undertaken by all individuals requiring access to the SDS data, and for all individual research projects for which one or more SDS datasets are sought. Responsibility for approval to Approved/Accredited Researcher status lies with the data owners and/or their designated delegates (such as the ONS Microdata Release Panel), and therefore users are warned delays are possible.

SDS training and Service Agreement

Once Approved/Accredited Researcher status has been achieved for the particular purpose for which SDS data are required, the user must attend a one-day UK Data Archive SDS training session. This will include overviews of specific relevant legal and ethical responsibilities, required security procedures, rules for disclosure control of research outputs and minimising disclosure risk, as well as practical instruction on how to access and use the SDS system through Citrix. Details on how to sign up for an SDS training session are provided.

Finally, in order to receive an SDS user ID and password, the user must read and sign the SDS Service Agreement document, which includes: liability to complete the UK Data Archive SDS training session; information security responsibilities (e.g. not giving out password, not sharing data, not attempting to publish results before being approved by SDS, etc.); and access control policy (e.g. reporting breaches, reasons for revoking access and penalties for breaches).

Users who obtain access to SDS data are also required to read and follow:

• Guide to good practice: micro data handling and security
• SDS Breaches Penalty Tariff
• SDS User Guide
• SDS Guide to Statistical Disclosure Control Principles

Further recommended reading