The UWDC offers a comprehensive suite of services to support research involving sensitive, confidential, and proprietary data—including robust support across the entire data management lifecycle, from acquisition and secure storage to curation, analysis, reporting, and reproducible research practices that enable innovative, secure data-driven inquiry.
Our services include:
- What is dCollab?
- dCollab is a Virtual Data Enclave, designed as the modern equivalent of a traditional ‘cold room.’ It provides a secure, server-based Windows environment for researchers working with res – a Secure, server-based virtual data enclave {Link to Discover dCollab page}
- Aligned with NIST 800-171 and HIPAA standards:
- Approved by UW OSP and endorsed by UW OIS, Division of Risk Management Services
- Approved to host federal and state confidential administrative data
How does dCollab protect the data it hosts?
dCollab offers a security framework that meets recognized industry standards for safeguarding sensitive data. The environment is aligned with NIST 800-171 cybersecurity requirements as well as with HIPAA and FERPA security and privacy standards.
Technical Safeguards
- Encryption at rest and in transit to protect data during storage and transfer
- Managed access controls and identity authentication to ensure only authorized users gain entry
- Isolated network segmentation to prevent unauthorized connections
- Continuous active monitoring and vulnerability management to detect and mitigate risks
- Human-vetted data transfers to prevent exfiltration and unauthorized disclosures
The environment is protected by a University of Washington-managed commercial firewall, providing robust perimeter defense.
Physical Security
dCollab is housed in a secure server colocation facility with:
- Key and PIN-based physical access controls
- Continuous video surveillance
- Environmental monitoring systems
Operations are managed by experienced Information Technology and Security professionals.
What can approved users expect when working in dCollab?
Researchers approved for access to dCollab will work in a virtual Windows Desktop environment equipped with:
- A full suite of tools for secure data analysis and research workflows
- Which software
- Controlled processes for file transfers, which are logged, reviewed, and approved or denied by UWDC personnel to maintain compliance and prevent unauthorized data movement
- Development, negotiation, and execution of data sharing/use agreements
- Assistance with security and data management plans
- Ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting
- UWDC IT Director is an OSP-approved signatory a recognized signatory for restricted data contracts with OSP.
Expert support. We simplify compliance for researchers and guarantee accountability for data providers through 4 specialized areas of expertise.
- Data Agreement Specialists—Assist with drafting, negotiating, and managing data sharing agreements to ensure clarity and compliance.
- Information Security Specialists—Control and audit data ingress and egress, manage secure data destruction, and enforce strict security protocols.
- Information Technology Specialists—Provide proactive technical support to keep systems secure and up to date.
- Statisticians and Scientific Consultants—Offer guidance across all stages of research, from design and data management to analysis and reporting.
- Access to high-value datasets hosted by UWDC or other organizations
- 24/7 remote access via secure VPN and two-factor authentication
- Virtual Windows Desktop environment equipped with a full suite of statistical software
- {Link to Explore Data Resources at UWDC}
- {Link/button to Request to Use Existing Data}
- Support for interdisciplinary and collaborative research partnerships
- Project onboarding and technical support
- Training and consultation for new users
- Development of strategies and tools to address data challenges:
- Data curation
- De-duplication
- Imputation of missing cases
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Record linkage and merging
- Consulting on research design and analytic strategies, leveraging the statistical, demographic, and econometric expertise of CSDE
- {Link/button to Science Core Consulting}
- Code repository
Service Agreement and Cost Estimate
Before accessing our services—whether for hosting, data acquisition and access, or expert support—the first step is understanding your needs and defining how we can best support you. We begin by developing a service agreement and a cost estimate that reflect your unique needs. This agreement promotes transparency, aligns expectations, and builds the foundation for a strong and collaborative relationship.
Our goal is to make the process straightforward while ensuring accountability, security, and sustainability. Contact us to discuss your project.
Please note that using our services may require:
- Acknowledging our support in research products
- Participating in regular project updates to maintain compliance and system integrity
- Supporting research that advances open access and shared knowledge
- Adhering to our security standards
By requiring reporting on data use and outcomes, we help sustain services for user communities and ensure ongoing access to these valuable resources.