The UK Government’s Integrated Data Service (IDS) has gone through a key stage in its development in achieving accreditation as a trusted research environment.
Dominic Hale, head of strategy for the IDS, confirmed the development with a post on LinkedIn, saying the platform is now open for accredited users.
“Fundamentally, the IDS is now open for business and it's a very proud moment for me, having spent almost three years helping the programme get to where it is today,” he said.
An ONS spokesperson said the IDS is still in public beta format. but that the accreditation provides formal recognition that it is a safe and secure platform.
The process has been carried out by a UK Statistics Authority team under the research strand of the Digital Economy Act.
Informing policy
It has been developed with the Office for National Statistics as lead partner to together data ready to use for analysis in informing policy decisions and improving public services.
The spokesperson added: "This has been a collective effort, drawing on work with colleagues from across the Civil Service and feedback from so many of our current IDS users, as well as users from the existing Secure Research Service, so we’re keen to continue working with our partners to shape the ongoing development of the service and ensure that the IDS achieves its full potential."
Hale added that accredited researchers do not need to re-apply to use the IDS.
Earlier this year, he said there was a target of 1,500 users by March 2024, predominantly from the Government Analysis Function but also with some from outside government, with live self-service for accredited users.
Amended 18 September on clarification from ONS that the service is still in beta.
