SAIL architecture. This diagram shows the SAIL databank system and the controls in place for data acquisition and utilisation, with an indication of the roles carried out by each party. Beginning at the base of the diagram, SAIL has formal agreements with data providers to provide their data to the databank in accordance with Information Governance. The commonly-recognised identifiers are anonymised at NWIS, who provide a trusted third party service to SAIL. Further processes of masking and encryption are carried out at SAIL, and the SAIL databank is constructed. From the top of the diagram, requests to use the data are reviewed by SAIL and an independent Information Governance Review Panel (IGRP) to assess compliance with Information Governance before access can be allowed. Once this is agreed, a data view is created by SAIL staff, and access to this view can be made available via the SAIL Gateway. For this to happen, further data transformations are carried out to control the risk of disclosure, and the data user signs an access agreement for responsible data utilisation, in accordance the specifications of the IGRP to comply with Information Governance.

The SAIL Gateway. The SAIL Gateway is a remote data access system, and this simplified illustration shows how data are accessed by end users using their own computer. Once approved with an account, data users are provided with a Gateway desktop within the Gateway Local Area Network (LAN), and this is accessed via remote desktop protocol (RDP) interposed by a Gateway security server. The Gateway desktop communicates with the SAIL database in the SAIL LAN to provide data users with a specified data view. Within the Gateway LAN, data users have access to analysis tools, a secure file store and other resources. File transfers into and out of the Gateway LAN are mediated by a guardian.

SAIL Info Central screenshot. This screenshot displays the home page for a data user on the SAIL Info Central (External to the SAIL Gateway) site. The top section displays menus to more information about the datasets and support options. The top left hand section displays information about the user, which is editable by the user. The bottom left hand section displays the services available to the user and indicates service status. The centre section displays all the projects that the user is authorised to access and the hyperlink directs them to more information about the project. The bottom right hand section display a timeline of news feed from projects and dataset updates.

SAIL Gateway screenshot. This screenshot displays the main features available within the SAIL Gateway. The left hand side displays the desktop icons to software that is installed as default. Starting from the top and working clockwise the screenshot displays the internet based resources – Question and Answer Forum, Frequently Asked Questions, SAIL Info Central (Internal to the SAIL Gateway), and the SAIL Gateway WIKI. The second screen displays the IBM InfoSphere environment used to develop SQL code to manipulate SAIL data to be research ready. The third screen displays the NHS Clinical Terminology Browser which enables users to search for read codes and their meanings. Finally the last two screens display the instant messaging system that enables users to communicate and share information within the secure SAIL Gateway environment.

The SAIL Gateway data user journey. This flowchart illustrates the SAIL data user journey from initial contact with SAIL to dissemination of outputs. Work conducted within the SAIL Gateway is highlighted.