Access levels and conditions

Each data collection held in the UK Data Service repositories has an access level negotiated with the data owner which depends on the detail, confidentiality and sensitivity of the data. The three access levels are: open, safeguarded and controlled. Differences in how a specific data collection can be accessed vary according to access level.

1. Open data: Users can access open data collections without registration. These collections are subject to Open Data Licences terms and conditions for example the Open Government Licence (OGL) or Creative Commons Licence (CC).
2. Safeguarded data: Safeguarded data collection can be downloaded by registering and accepting our End User Licence Agreement (PDF). Use of these data are subject to the terms and conditions of the End User Licence Agreement. Some Safeguarded data may have additional conditions or agreements attached.
3. Controlled data: Data that are very detailed, sensitive or confidential are accessed through the UKDS SecureLab, the UK Data Service Trusted Research Environment. After registering, experienced researchers can apply to access controlled data. To enable quicker access to this service, please check you meet all the application criteria set by data providers before you apply. Users can connect to the UKDS SecureLab via:

• • A device located at and owned by your institution (which has been approved during the application process).
  • SafePods and SafePoints in the SafePod Network.
  • The UK Data Archive Safe Room, located on, the University of Essex campus.
  • International Data Access Network terminals for selected data collections.

UK Data Archive also facilitates access for users who need to access the Trusted Research Environment of the Office of National Statistics (ONS), named Secure Research Service (SRS), via our Safe Room. A user wishing to access ONS SRS data via our Safe Room must have an Accredited Researcher Assurance Registration (ARAR) signed by the UK Data Archive’s Single Point of Contact (currently Leigh Tate) and also the ONS. Users can access these by contacting srs.customer.support@ons.gov.uk.

Access to international controlled data: Using the relevant terminal installed in our Safe Room a result of our involvement in the International Data Access Network (IDAN), users have the opportunity to access controlled/secure access data from the following Trusted Research Environments:

• • CASD (The Secure Data Center), France.
  • IAB FDZ (Research Data Centre of the German Federal Employment Agency at the Institute for Employment Research), Germany.
  • The Secure Data Centre at GESIS (Leibniz institute for the Social Sciences), Germany.

Booking the UK Data Service’s Safe Room

Users who wish to use the Safe Room are required to submit an online booking request using the Safe Room booking form. When booking, users need to specify which service they wish to access (i.e. UKDS SecureLab, ONS SRS, CASD, IAB, or GESIS).

The Safe Room is available for bookings Monday to Friday between 09.00 to 17.00, and Tuesday between 13.00 to 17.00.