Government’s Integrated Data Service gets green light

The Integrated Data Service (IDS), a central platform that provides access to improved data, analytical and visualisation tools, in a secure multi-cloud infrastructure, has received accreditation. 

This latest milestone provides formal recognition that the IDS is a safe and secure platform, compliant with the five safes of secure data, and allows it to operate as a Trusted Research Environment.

The IDS is a cross-government project led by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which focuses on linking data to provide otherwise untapped insight and to allow real-time analysis on a growing range of integrated data assets.

The programme, which has been under development for the last three years, represents an important step in achieving the aims of the government’s National Data Strategy and the roadmap for digital and data from 2022 to 2025.

Dominic Hale, head of strategy for the IDS, confirmed that the platform is now “open for business” with accreditation for its wider use having been carried out by a UK Statistics Authority team under the research strand of the Digital Economy Act. 

“A lot of hard work, effort and collaboration is still needed, but this now gives us the platform to securely share and open up access to data for accredited users of the IDS. PS, if you’re already an accredited researcher, that already means you, no need to re-apply for IDS,” he said.

The accreditation represents a big step forward in delivering this service, which will continue to operate in a beta phase. 

An ONS spokesperson told Government Transformation Magazine that the team are now focusing efforts on improving user experience and maturing the service.

"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," they said.