Data security and confidentiality at HIC

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HIC’s first priority is to address information governance, data security and confidentiality issues.

All services provided by HIC are delivered within an ISO 27001 certified secure environment to ensure data is managed safely and in compliance with Data Protection legislation.

 

    British Assessment Bureau

    Logo from British Assessment Bureau for ISO 27001 information security management with blue white and red lines, a crown showing a check underneath

    Information security management certified by British Assessment Bureau

    Download ISO 27001 certificate

    Key HIC security measures

    IT Security

    • Network separation between data & data users.
    • Secure environments for HIC staff and users.
    • Backup & off-site copies.

    Identifiable Data

    • Identifiable data receive into HIC is encrypted, stored and processed in a secured environment on the NHS network, accessible only to HIC technical staff who hold Honorary NHS contracts.

    Data requests and releases

    • All data requests and releases, along with copies of all necessary approvals, are stored on the HIC Project Management System.

    HIC processes

    Audits

    • HIC are inspected by an external auditor annually as part of the ISO27001 accreditation. HIC carry out internal audits on a quarterly basis.

    Data Users

    • Researchers and other data users work within the HIC Safe Haven and sign a HIC Data User Agreement.
    • Data users are only provided with de-identified data, unless project-specific approval is obtained by NHS Caldicott Guardian.

    HIC Governance

    • The HIC Governance Committee, chaired by the NHS Tayside’s Senior Clinical Research Governance Manager, reviews the audit report, SOPs and any adverse events, recommending improvements to HIC processes and information governance.