Affiliations: Research Data Center, National Center for Health
Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland,
USA | National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD
20782, USA. Tel.: +1 301 458 4375; E-mail: pmeyer1@cdc.gov
Abstract: The National Center for Health Statistics has developed a secure
infrastructure, known as the Research Data Center (RDC), to provide researchers
access to sensitive data that carry a statistical disclosure risk. The RDC has
developed procedures, policies, and products that allow for the use of these
data while maintaining the confidentiality of survey respondents and research
subjects. Between the ever-growing need to restrict variables to maintain
confidentiality and the expanded interest in studies that add context and
policy based on geography, the amount of researchers requesting access to
restricted data has almost doubled in the past year. To meet these additional
needs, the RDC has expanded onsite services, developed a remote access system
that continues to evolve in this ever-changing information technology
environment, and streamlined its processes to increase efficiency.
Keywords: Confidentiality, data enclaves, disclosure
