ONS Secure Research Service announces dates for the transition to the Integrated Data Service
Category: Office for National Statistics
27 March 2024
This is an archived article and some of the information is no longer up-to-date. Read the most recent update on the Integrated Data Service transition plans.
This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has communicated the anticipated dates for the transition from the ONS Secure Research Service (SRS) to the Integrated Data Service (IDS).
The ONS states that it will not accept new project applications to the SRS after 30 September 2024, with new project applications instead being made to the IDS after this date. In addition, it details that all projects that are active in the SRS will need to fully transition to the IDS by March 2026.
What are the ONS Secure Research Service and Integrated Data Service?
The ONS is ADR UK’s major data infrastructure partner. The ONS SRS is a trusted research environment providing accredited researchers with secure access to de-identified data for public-good research. ADR UK has been directly funding the development and expansion of the ONS SRS since 2018.
The IDS is the new cloud-based ONS trusted research environment. It provides access to de-identified data for accredited researchers working on approved research projects. All IDS data is protected by the Five Safes framework and the Digital Economy Act. Read an introduction to the IDS or their update last summer.
SRS closing to new project applications 30 September 2024
Following extensive consultation with users and stakeholders, and considering feedback received, the ONS has mapped out a path of transition for SRS users, their projects, and all datasets to the IDS. Based on the current delivery plans, the ONS is confident it will be able to support the majority of SRS user needs in the IDS by autumn of this year. This includes making additional tooling available in the IDS, including a solution for Stata which delivers most of the functionality that users will be familiar with from the SRS. Therefore, the SRS will not accept applications for new projects to the SRS after 30 September 2024. New applications after this date will need to be made to the IDS.
In the lead-up to this date, ADR UK will be working closely with the ONS to ensure that the IDS is a suitable replacement that meets the requirements of SRS users. This will include careful consideration of user feedback and close monitoring of the pilot transition projects. As new users start their projects in the IDS, it is hoped that their feedback will inform testing and refining of the service to meet SRS user needs.
All active SRS projects to be completed or transitioned by March 2026
The ONS has also set a date for the closedown and full transition to the new service by March 2026. All active SRS projects will either be completed in the SRS or fully transitioned to the IDS by then.
Access to the SRS for existing projects will continue as normal for the time being, and existing users will see no impact in the short term. The ONS will be in touch with existing SRS users to discuss any impact on their project(s). Based on project end dates:
- SRS projects ending before March 2026 - will be able to run until their agreed end date within the SRS with no impact. Users on these projects can transition sooner if they want to make use of the functionality offered in the IDS.
- SRS projects ending after March 2026 – will need to be transitioned to the IDS while in progress. The transition team is currently assessing these projects and will be in touch with project leads before the end of the year to discuss the transition process in more detail.
Transitioning the relevant SRS projects to the IDS over the next two years (until March 2026) will keep the growth of the IDS at a manageable rate alongside its development.
Working in close partnership
The ONS is ADR UK’s major data infrastructure partner. We are working together to try to ensure a smooth transition to the IDS for SRS users, including those with ADR UK-funded projects. We are also supporting the ONS in talks with data owners to ensure the IDS meets their requirements to make data securely available for research. The ONS anticipates work with data owners will result in all data in the SRS moving to the IDS by the end of September 2024.
If you have an upcoming or active project in the ONS SRS, you will be contacted directly to discuss the impact of the transition on you (if any). No action is required until you have been contacted.
The IDS website shows the current data available in IDS as well as the available and upcoming tools. Should you have any questions about the transition, or you would like to request a recording of the IDS showcase event from earlier this month, please contact srs.engagement.team@ons.gov.uk. If you have any questions about the transition concerning an ADR UK-funded project, please contact hub@adruk.org.
Read the full update from the ONS including their reasons for taking this decision.
