SafePod Network
Welcome to the safepod network
The SafePod Network (SPN) provides researchers with standardised safe settings (SafePods and SafePoints) across the UK for data that requires secure access for reserch. Data Centres that have joined the SPN to provide access to their data includes the Office for National Statistics, UK Data Service, SAIL Databank and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.
The major benefits of the SPN are outlined here.
The SafePod Network is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and is part of the Administrative Data Research UK programme.
ABOUT safEpod
A SafePod is a standardised safe setting that provides the security and controls for data that requires secure access for research. A SafePod includes a door control access system, CCTV, a researcher area for dataset analysis, secure IT cupboard and a height adjustable desk.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Read more about SafePods and how datasets are accessed here.
ABOUT SAFEPOINT
SafePoint is a new development from the SafePod Network to provide a low cost, scalable and standardised safe setting to organisations that require secure access to data for research.
SafePoint includes similar security controls to a SafePod. SafePoint has two desk models. Images displaying show the SafePoint MultiDesk which provides two independent desks and the partition can be electronically lowered to enable collaborative research working across one large desk. A SafePoint Single Desk is also available.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
For further information about SafePoint, including how to apply for one then click here.
Researcher registration
Researchers must register with the SPN (which includes passing an online training questionnaire on the SPN User Agreement) before a SafePod can be booked and used to access project datasets. Further details about the researcher registration process is available here.
Once registered, a researcher can book and use any SafePod in the network for access to their project data from a SPN Data Centre.
Data ACCESS
A number of organisations provide a wide variety of data for researchers to access through the SafePod Network. For more information click here.
SPN OBJECTIVES
The major objectives of the SPN are to:
- To develop, provide and maintain standardised safe setting facilities for secure access to administrative and sensitive data for public benefit research.
- To significantly improve the quantity and diversity of public benefit research by providing researchers with equitable and local secure access to data across the UK.
- To improve and widen the sharing of data held by Data Centres across the UK for public benefit research.
You can read about our principles for secure data access here.