This training was designed to give Longitudinal Population Study Data Managers a conceptual understanding as to how to evaluate and mitigate disclosure risk.
About this event
The pandemic has accelerated the move from sharing data directly with analysts to sharing data via Trusted Research Environments (TREs). The importance of this move is set out in the recent Goldacre Review and NHS Digital have recently informed the LPS community (at the recent CLOSER/NHS Digital workshop) that the sharing of linked NHS records will move to TREs within two years.
A crucial part of TRE ways of working is for Data Owners to conduct disclosure control for processing individual level survey data prior to depositing data in TREs and for LPS Data Managers to be able to check outputs from the TRE to ensure they are truly anonymous outside the protective ‘wrapper’ of the TRE.
There is considerable innovation in this area: particularly relating to the recent UK Statistics Authority code of practice, and revisions to Information Commissioner’s Office and UK Anonymisation Network guidance. Analyst training – such as that provided as part of the ONS Five Safe’s framework is important but not sufficient for LPS Data Managers.
The CLOSER Data Linkage Community of Practice and UK LLC arranged for the UK Anonymisation Network to provide expert training in their Anonymisation Decision Making Framework (ADF). This training was funded by CLOSER.
This training was designed to give LPS Data Managers a conceptual understanding as to how to evaluate and mitigate disclosure risk. The training focused on the ADF as a framework and then explored in a workshop how this relates to data phenomena within the longitudinal field (eg, repeat assessments over time, managing complex linkages, depositing data within TREs, withdrawal of consent).
This training was intended to help to reassure study managers and data staff, study data controllers (e.g., the institution operating the study) and data providers that their disclosure control requirements are being met. The training also helped with the development of consistent practices and standards in disclosure control across longitudinal research studies as studies move to TRE ways of working: such as the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration.
Further information
If you have any queries or require further information about this event, please contact our Digital Communications and Events Manager, Jennie Blows (j.blows@ucl.ac.uk).