Developing Trusted Preservation Services for Sensitive Research Data: A Case Study

This abstract outlines the development of services for the long-term preservation of sensitive research data. Initially, the institution’s infrastructure was not equipped to handle high-risk datasets, prompting a comprehensive effort to enhance both technical and procedural capabilities. The work focused on five key areas: reviewing legal and ethical requirements, strengthening a multidisciplinary expert network, enhancing internal competencies, refining user workflows, and upgrading technical platforms. Collaboration with legal, IT, and data protection professionals was essential, as was hands-on engagement with researchers to assess real datasets. Notably, the team introduced structured protocols such as Data Access Protocols and Data Protection Impact Assessments to ensure compliance and accountability. Despite challenges—particularly in defining responsibilities and balancing security with usability—the strong demand from researchers proved a powerful driver. This initiative aligns with themes of sensitive data curation, tool development, and community building, offering a practical model for institutions seeking to support secure, sustainable research data preservation.