A critical component of the NSDS-D project is ensuring that the public’s data are kept confidential. NCSES, a principal statistical agency within the Federal Statistical System, adopts a common framework for protecting statistical data and disseminating statistical data securely and equitably, in accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2018, the Office of Management and Budget Statistical Directives, the Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency, and other provisions within the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018.
Privacy protections are a central component of the NSDS-D authorizing legislation.
- Only technology and systems that incorporate privacy protection measures are used
- Confidential data are only accessed by authorized individuals
- Personally identifiable information is not divulged
- Privacy risks to individuals are minimized
The demonstration project is exploring innovative ways to protect data while expanding its access. Methods being explored include
- Disclosure limitation methodologies to reduce the risk of reidentification
- Privacy preserving record linkages that leverage encryption techniques
- Secure multi-party computing that can support the production of tabulations without direct data access
- Use of synthetic data to provide an alternative to confidential data access
The demonstration project will continue to explore new and emerging technologies and methods to ensure that privacy and confidentiality remains a central component of a potential, future data service.