Secure Data Center

GESIS provides long-term preservation for an extensive holding of survey and other research data. These data are curated, processed, and documented to provide re-usable data to the broad scientific community. However, some of these data cannot be accessed in the usual way as they are more detailed and sensitive. Researchers can instead access these data via the Secure Data Center where additional access measures are applied.

The Secure Data Center is located in Cologne and

provides access to a range of disclosive research data that is subject to special access requirements and restrictions, e.g., for reasons of data sensitivity
provides advice on research data protection and statistical disclosure control
staff availability: Monday-Friday

Access to sensitive, restricted-access GESIS data

Access to sensitive data is only available via the Secure Data Center to researchers who can fulfil the following requirements:

You must be at least at the level of PhD student
You must be from a recognised research institute
You must have a clearly specified research project
You must check any specific access restrictions for the study that you wish to use (these can be found in the studies' micro-site findable through the GESIS website search function)

Remote access via the SANE Secure Analysis Environment

GESIS offers remote access to restricted-access data through its Secure Data Center (SecDC). Instead of downloading data locally, researchers work in a protected virtual research environment where analyses are conducted on secure servers.

Remote access is provided via the SANE Secure Analysis Environment, hosted on the SURF Research Cloud. Researchers connect to a virtual desktop with no internet access, and all data movement is strictly controlled. Outputs are reviewed by SecDC staff before release to ensure compliance with disclosure control rules.

Access is granted per project and researchers can request the Standard Access Package during the project application process. Further information on costs and available extensions for 2026 is provided below.

Pricing for SecDC remote computer access to restricted-access GESIS data

Standard Access Package: 250 € (per project)

Includes:

Access to approved dataset(s) via SURF using SANE TINKER (large virtual machine – 4 cores, 32 GB RAM)
Duration: 4 weeks (28 days)
Recommended planning:
- 3 weeks analysis
- 1 week for publication-related revisions
Users: up to 2
Output checks: 2 output releases (following SecDC disclosure rules)

Format and limits for each output:

Maximum 10 graphs
Maximum 10 descriptive tables
Maximum 50 regression models
All tabular and regression results must be included in a text document (.docx only) or CSV file
Fixed format images must be provided in .pdf, .jpeg, or .png format only
One complete syntax file or R script can be requested (must not contain data or analytical results)

Extras:

Each additional user: 50 €
Each additional output check: 100 €
Increased computing capacity: Price upon request

Application for access

To use these sensitive data, multiple steps need to be completed. The first step is to apply by providing information about yourself, the study ID, and a short description of your planned project, among others. Please use the following form to apply for access: Application form Secure Data Center

On-site access to restricted data available through other institutions

GESIS also provides access points at the Safe Rooms of the Secure Data Center, Cologne and the German Microdata Lab (GML), Mannheim to restricted data made available through the following institutions:

Research Data Centre of the German Federal Employment Agency (BA) at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB):

Researchers must first complete the IAB application process. Information about the process can be found on the IAB website.
More information about on-site access can be found at the IAB website.
Requests for IAB researcher visits to the Secure Data Center, Cologne should be made via the online booking system.
Requests for IAB researcher visits to the GML, Mannheim can be made via the online booking system. For further questions regarding Saferoom access at the GML please contact: idan-mannheim(at)gesis(dot)org.

UK Data Service (UKDS) SecureLab, United Kingdom

Researchers must first complete the UKDS application process. Information about the process can be found via the UKDS website.
An overview of the available data can be found via the UKDS website.
To request a researcher visit to access UKDS data at either Cologne or Mannheim, please complete the online booking form.
The UKDS SecureLab has a regular shutdown period for maintenance every Tuesday between 09:00-12:30 (UK time), therefore visits are not possible on Tuesday mornings.

CASD, Secure Data Access Center, France

Researchers must first complete the CASD application process. Information about the service and the data available can be found here.
To request a researcher visit to access CASD data at the Safe Room in Cologne, please email the Secure Data Center sdc(at)gesis(dot)org.
To request a researcher visit to access CASD data at the GML at Mannheim, please email idan-mannheim(at)gesis(dot)org

The GML at Mannheim also provide access to additional restricted data from the Netherlands through the International Data Access Network (IDAN) project. More information can be found on their website: Safe Room Mannheim – GML (gesis.org).

These remote access connections were made possible through the International Data Access Network (IDAN) and the Social Science and Humanities Open Cloud projects. More information about the remote access connections set up by the IDAN project can be found on the project website: IDAN international data access network.

The opening hours of the Secure Data Center Cologne are from Monday to Thursday, 9:00-16:30.