Over the last few months, we have informed Secure Research Service (SRS) users about plans to transition from the existing service to the new Integrated Data Service (IDS) through our regular SRS newsletters and April’s IDS Showcase event. 

The IDS is a cross-government initiative which aims to remove friction for researchers and government analysts wishing to access administrative data. Data will be hosted on a cloud-based platform, with the vision that all data will be indexed and linkable, giving a user the ability to bring together ready to use data for richer analytical insight. This transition will represent a step-change in compute power for SRS users and will open external access to new sources of data, alongside migrated data from the SRS. 

As part of our engagement activity, we have gained vital user feedback, key to informing how we move between services and assessing user need against the existing state of the SRS. We’ve listened to your feedback and have some important updates to share regarding the transition period, which have been detailed below. 

Implementing a longer transition period 

User feedback has made it clear that additional time is required to prepare for the transition to the IDS. We have also acknowledged that we will require additional time to implement a broader range of analytical tools in the IDS that meet SRS user needs. 

We have therefore taken the decision to move away from a hard closure date of March 2024, and instead implement a longer period of dual running the SRS alongside the IDS. This will allow an extended time in which we are able to transition data, users and their projects to the IDS.  

The transition of SRS to the IDS is still a priority, and therefore the extended running of the SRS will not be open ended. We will remain in contact with users about the progress on transition plans and will communicate an updated date as soon as possible.  

Any new SRS proposed projects, or extensions to existing projects will first be tested for their suitability for commencement in the IDS, where the data and tools are available to meet the requirements of that project.  

Our dedicated team will support our early adopters with their transition journey, and we will keep those remaining within the SRS updated as we continue this longer dual running of the SRS alongside the IDS. 

Expanding the IDS Analytical Tooling offer 

Through our ongoing tooling discovery work and your feedback, we’ve heard a clear need for additional tools to meet analytical needs. We are implementing plans to expand the tools within the IDS over and above the existing packages, such as R and Python, prior to SRS users transitioning.  

The existing tooling roadmap for the IDS includes plans for the implementation of tools such as Spark frameworks, Geospatial tools within Google Cloud/BigQuery, VSCode, RStudio, Looker Studio, Google Sheets, Quatro, and Latex. The introduction of these tools will afford more in-depth analysis alongside the broader range of data available within the IDS. 

SRS users have expressed a clear desire for alternative tooling, specifically Stata and SPSS, to be made available within the IDS. Stata and SPSS do not currently have cloud-native functionality which allows for implementation within the technical architecture of the IDS, therefore further discussion is required, and we will update users as soon as a decision has been reached on these tools.    

The extended period of dual running will allow us to ensure that any new tools can be implemented, tested, and communicated clearly prior to the transition of any existing SRS projects.  

Support and questions 

By implementing a longer dual running period, expanding the IDS tooling offer, and, where possible, honouring existing SRS project end dates, we hope to address the main concerns users have raised thus far. 

If you have an active project in the SRS, you will be contacted directly to discuss the transition further at a later date. No action is required until you have been contacted to discuss the transition of your project. 

Until then, we will continue to keep you updated through regular engagement activities, communications, and via our SRS Newsletter. We will soon be updating our website to include further transition information which will be updated regularly.  

If you are interested in hearing more about developments to the IDS, you can also sign up to the IDS newsletter by emailing IDS.Comms@ons.gov.uk.  

Should you have any questions about the transition, please contact srs.customer.support@ons.gov.uk.