How data is protected

SDEs improve access to NHS health and social care data for research while maintaining the highest standards of NHS data security.

Five Safes Framework

The Five Safes Framework is a set of standards to enable safe access to data. These principles set out how data is handled securely on SDEs:

Safe Data

The NHS only allows SDE users to access de-identified versions of health and social care data. This means they never see people’s personal information, such as their name, date of birth, address or NHS number.

Safe Projects

All projects are reviewed and approved by Data Access Committees to ensure they provide sufficient public health benefits.

Safe People

Only users who have been trained and accredited will be authorised to use data.

Safe Settings

Only research projects and users who have been approved, can access the SDE. They are unable to remove anything from the SDE and can only analyse data on the system.

Safe Outputs

The NHS checks and approves all research findings from the SDE to maintain data confidentiality before they can be published.

How we use your information

More information about how individuals’ privacy is protected is on our How we use your information page.

Opting out

People who do not want their data to be used on SDEs can opt out. More information is on our Opting out page.