Access Mechanisms

The four different ways you can access our restricted and most sensitive datasets.

Getting Access to Restricted Data

When you initiate an application for restricted data, you will be presented with information about what mechanisms are available, including application procedures for the data you are requesting. We offer four mechanisms to access restricted data: secure download, online analysis, a virtual data enclave, and our physical data enclave. Please note that these mechanisms do not apply to every dataset we provide.

Please email icpsr-help@umich.edu if you have questions about these four access modalities.

Primary

Our main ways to grant access to restricted data are as follows:

  • Secure Download – Most NACJD-restricted data is available this way. When your request for data via secure download is approved, you will receive a temporary URL to download the password-protected files. After the files have been downloaded, they must be moved to a secure location that adheres to your Confidential Data Security Plan.
  • Online Analysis – Some studies are available online via our Restricted Survey Documentation and Analysis (RSDA) system. This system allows remote access to datasets using NACJD’s online analysis system, without providing access to the underlying microdata. RSDA also limits the kinds of analysis that you can perform and the output you receive.

Enclave-based

Access to our most sensitive datasets is provided in our enclave-based environments:

  • Virtual Data Enclave – Some studies are restricted to ICPSR’s Virtual Data Enclave (VDE). The VDE is a virtual machine launched from your desktop but operating on a remote server, similar to remotely logging into another computer. The virtual machine is isolated from your physical desktop computer, restricting you from downloading files. External access is also restricted, preventing you from emailing, copying, or otherwise moving files outside the secure environment, accidentally or intentionally. The VDE operates like a standard Windows computer and includes many popular statistical analysis packages. ICPSR also provides a VDE User Guide to assist researchers when using the VDE.
  • Physical Data Enclave – When studies contain highly sensitive data, access is restricted to ICPSR’s Physical Data Enclave (PDE). The PDE is a secure data laboratory that provides on-site, controlled access to original data at ICPSR. Users interested in accessing these data are required to travel to Ann Arbor, MI, to perform data analysis.