Trusted research environment (Data Safe Haven)

The Data Safe Haven is our trusted research environment for projects with sensitive data.

Sensitive data is safely transferred into the secure environment, where it can be processed and analysed in a safe and secure manner by approved members of a research team.

Overall equipment specs:

192 CPU cores (non-HT)
4.5TB RAM
70TB file store.

Processing and storage capacity is shared between users. If your project involves large datasets, please contact us to discuss whether the service is suitable for you.

Key features

Data Save Haven meets many of the requirements of data providers, such as NHS Digital.
ISO 27001 certification means that risks are considered, managed, and externally audited.
Your research group can collaborate on sensitive datasets using familiar software, working securely from your desk.
Sensitive data cannot be taken out of the Data Safe Haven without approval.
DSH has 10+ servers or 'compute nodes'. When logging on you will be placed on the least busy machine, which means you get the best possible performance.
Data is encrypted and regularly backed up.
Applications run on server-grade hardware, which are much more powerful than desktop PCs.
Available software includes Adobe Reader (PDFs), Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, R + RStudio and Stata.

Access instructions

Open Data Safe Haven

To use this service, you need to complete Data Safe Haven training.
Sign in with your account details. Duo two-factor authentication is required.
If you’re not on campus, you need a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
If you’re interested in using the Data Safe Haven, or want to discuss whether it’s right for your needs, please contact us.

Related tools

Available to staff, postgraduate students and associates (restrictions apply)

Authorised users working on a University research project can use this service. The service can be used on devices connected to the University network or VPN.

App and web-based

Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.

Funded by the University

There isn’t a cost to you for standard use. Charges may apply for large projects which require additional resources.

Access instructions

Open Data Safe Haven

To use this service, you need to complete Data Safe Haven training.
Sign in with your account details. Duo two-factor authentication is required.
If you’re not on campus, you need a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
If you’re interested in using the Data Safe Haven, or want to discuss whether it’s right for your needs, please contact us.

Related tools

Guides and help

How-to guides and set up

You can find advice and support on the Data Safe Haven York wiki.

Find out more about research data management options and support.

Contact for support

If you're experiencing technical issues and need advice, please contact us:

Complete our enquiry form and include ‘DSH’ in the subject to help it get to us faster.
Call Mark Wilson on +44(0)1904 321850.

Reporting information security incidents

If you're aware of an incident, or suspected incident, where data is at risk, you must report this as quickly as possible.

Emergency contacts for Data Safe Haven

Service commitments

Your responsibilities and policies

Before you can use the Safe Haven, you must complete the University’s training programme (wiki).
To register an account and use the Data Safe Haven service, you must read and accept the user agreement (wiki).
To see a summary of your responsibilities when using this service, please see the relevant section in the training guidance (wiki).
The University of York has a comprehensive set of policies relating to information security, research, employment and other matters relevant to the institution. The Data Safe Haven supplements these policies where necessary. View related policies (wiki).

Crediting Data Safe Haven in research: If you have used the Data Safe Haven service in your research, we request you acknowledge this on your paper submissions. We also request that you share the details of research with the Data Safe Haven team for their reference. This will aid with usage reporting, and may assist with funding towards expansion of the service. Please include the following statement in any written or published work arising from use of the Data Safe Haven resources:

"This project was undertaken on the Data Safe Haven, which is an ISO 27001 certified environment for handling sensitive data, and is provided by the University of York. We are grateful for support from the University of York Data Safe Haven team and the Research Computing team."

The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.

Service performance

Availability

This is a live service, available 24/7.

Support

This service is managed by IT Services.
We are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults.
Support is available during our opening hours.

Standards

Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers. We regularly monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

Feedback and complaints

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024