Accessing secure research data as an accredited researcher – Assured Organisational Connectivity to the Secure Research Service
The University of Dundee has recently secured Assured Organisational Connectivity (AOC) with the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Secure Research Service (SRS). SRS provides accredited researchers secure access to de-identified, unpublished data.
There are over 100 datasets available, covering areas such as population, crime, environment, earnings, business, retail, financial assets, patents, employment, health, including COVID-19 and coronavirus data. You can download the full list of available datasets as an Excel spreadsheet here.
What is Assured Organisational Connectivity?
Researchers based in organisations that have an Assured Organisational Connectivity (AOC) agreement in place with the Secure Research Service (SRS) can access the SRS from their University or organisation.
What are the benefits to you?
To help limit the impact of travel and time away from home on researchers and the environment, SRS provides accredited researchers with the option to access data locally.
In 2020, in response to travel restrictions on research, it was agreed that limited home working would also be permitted. Access to projects from home are subject to approval from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and data owners; and decided on a case-by-case basis.
Note, access must be from a machine provided by the University of Dundee, connecting to the SRS through the virtual private network (VPN). Also, access must be from within the UK; access from outside the UK is not permitted.
What do you need to do?
To become an accredited researcher you will need to apply to the Research Support team in ONS. There is more information on the requirements for making an application within their guidance document and at their beta site.
Please note
All researchers are required to attend an Accredited Researcher training course and pass a test prior to being given access to the Data held in the SRS.
Are you an accredited researcher?
If you are already an Accredited Researcher and you wish to be considered for approval to access the SRS from home, you will need to request an application form by email from research.support@ons.gov.uk. They will send you a form requesting further information.
Each request is considered in discussion with data owners and experts from across the ONS. Where agreed, you will then be advised on how to access the SRS from home. The Discovery team at the LLC must be informed and will provide further support and advice, contact discovery@dundee.ac.uk