The aim of the ESSnet project DARA is to establish a secure channel from a safe centre within a NSI to the safe server at Eurostat so that researchers can use confidential community statistics in their own Member States without traveling to Luxembourg.
The concrete task of participating NSIs is to provide a secure channel to guarantee access for data users to the remote access system at Eurostat and also to provide service and IT-support for the researcher on the local national level.
Project description
Based on the former feasibility study in the project “ESSnet on Decentralised Access to EU Microdata Sets”, the project aim is an implementation of a decentralised remote access from NSI Safe Centres to the community statistics in Eurostat exemplarily for the ECHP.
Tasks
1. Documentation and Workflow
- Define rules and standards for a remote access to confidential data in the ESS
- Draft of a request form for data access
- Compile a manual for NSI regarding workflow when data access is requested
- Documentation and communication
Deliverables:
D1.1: First draft of a manual for the scientific community including a detailed request form, and a manual for workflow description in NSIs
D1.3: Handbook for researchers
2. Concept of technical implementation and safety requirements for remote access
- Define client requirements, authentication process and accreditation
- Clarify the role of the NSIs (workflow and process)
- Define input/output checking process (who, where ...)
- Possible operability of different system and interfaces
- Integration of existing systems
- Test procedure: check-list of security verification (from client to host)
Deliverables:
D2.1: Manual of all the required specifications for security, interoperability, workflows, including the check-list of security constraints (from client to host).
3. Cost benefit analysis
- Based on the cost template of the former project
- staff planning (rates each qualification/grade)
- breakdown on strategy and operational costs
- breakdown on fixed and variable costs
- number of projects
- IT costs
Deliverables:
4. Implementation of remote access - case study
- Define all the necessary elements needed to implement a pilot
- (hardware, software, organisation, use-cases)
- Implementing a pilot in one country and evaluate it
- Extend the pilot to 2 or 3 other countries for evaluation purpose (double-output checking, workflows, etc.)
- Organise a security audit of each process
Deliverables:
5. Communication and dissemination to the ESS
- Upgrading and update of project website
- Presentation of the project contents on the ESSnet portal
- Presentation of intermediate and final results
- Information via e-mail invitation to MS in the ESS
Deliverables:
D5.2: Upgrading and update of the website with description and objectives of the project.
D5.3: Presentation of intermediate results of the project on project website
6. Project management
Deliverables:
Further information
The website of the forerunner project "ESSnet on Decentralised Access to EU Microdata Sets" can be found here: http://www.safe-centre.eu/