# DataSHIELD

> Series of R packages that enables the remote and non-disclosive analysis of sensitive research data

**Wikidata**: [Q130616688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130616688)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/datashield

## Summary
DataSHIELD is a series of R packages that enables the remote and non-disclosive analysis of sensitive research data. It allows researchers to perform statistical analyses on confidential data without directly accessing or sharing the raw data, enhancing privacy and security in data science research.

## Key Facts
- DataSHIELD is implemented in the R programming language, which was created in 1993.
- The software is classified as both research software and general software.
- Key stable versions include 3.0.0 (released September 2, 2014), 5.0.0 (released September 3, 2019), and 6.1 (released October 26, 2020).
- DataSHIELD is used for data analysis and data science applications.
- The project's website is https://datashield.org/, which is in English.
- The source code repository is available at https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient.
- DataSHIELD is described in academic sources as "an ethically robust solution to multiple-site individual-level data analysis."

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of DataSHIELD?
A: DataSHIELD enables researchers to perform statistical analyses on sensitive or confidential data without directly accessing the raw data. This approach maintains privacy and confidentiality while still allowing valuable insights to be extracted from the data.

### Q: What programming language is DataSHIELD built on?
A: DataSHIELD is built using the R programming language, a language specifically designed for statistical analysis and data science applications that was first released in 1993.

### Q: How does DataSHIELD ensure data privacy?
A: DataSHIELD ensures privacy through remote and non-disclosive analysis methods. Researchers can execute statistical functions on data stored in secure environments without needing to transfer or view the raw data itself, thus protecting sensitive information.

### Q: What are some notable versions of DataSHIELD?
A: Key stable versions of DataSHIELD include 3.0.0 (2014), 4.1.0 (2015), 5.1.0 (2020), and 6.1 (2020). Version 6.1, released on October 26, 2020, represents a more recent stable release in the project's development.

## Why It Matters
DataSHIELD addresses a critical challenge in data science and research: how to perform meaningful analysis on sensitive datasets while maintaining privacy and ethical standards. In an era of increasing data protection regulations and concerns about privacy, DataSHIELD provides a framework that enables collaboration across multiple data sites without compromising individual-level data. This technology is particularly valuable for medical research, where patient data must be protected, and for international studies where data sharing across borders is restricted. By allowing statistical analysis to occur remotely on secured data, DataSHIELD facilitates larger, more diverse research projects that can produce more robust findings while upholding ethical standards for data privacy.

## Notable For
- Enabling remote analysis of sensitive research data without requiring direct access to raw data
- Providing an "ethically robust solution" to multiple-site individual-level data analysis
- Implementing privacy-preserving techniques specifically for statistical analysis in R
- Supporting collaborative research across multiple data sites while maintaining confidentiality
- Facilitating international research projects where data sharing is restricted by privacy regulations

## Body

### Overview
DataSHIELD is a collection of R packages designed to facilitate secure, remote analysis of sensitive data. The system allows researchers to perform statistical computations on confidential datasets without ever accessing the raw data directly. This approach preserves privacy while still enabling valuable research insights.

### Technical Implementation
- Built using the R programming language, which is specifically designed for statistical analysis
- Classified as both research software and general software
- Source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient
- Official documentation and information available at https://datashield.org/

### Version History
- Version 3.0.0: Released on September 2, 2014
- Version 4.0.0: Released on March 30, 2015
- Version 5.0.0: Released on September 3, 2019
- Version 6.0.0: Released on May 28, 2020
- Version 6.1: Released on October 26, 2020

### Research Applications
- Used for data analysis and data science applications
- Enables multi-site research studies without data sharing
- Particularly valuable for medical and health research where patient confidentiality is paramount
- Facilitates international research collaborations where data transfer restrictions exist

### Ethical Framework
- Described in academic literature as "an ethically robust solution to multiple-site individual-level data analysis"
- Addresses concerns about data privacy in statistical research
- Allows researchers to derive insights from sensitive data while maintaining ethical standards

## References

1. [Release 3.0.0. 2014](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/3.0.0)
2. [Release 3.0.1. 2014](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/3.0.1)
3. [Release 4.0.0. 2015](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/4.0.0)
4. [Release 4.0.1. 2015](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/4.0.1)
5. [Release 4.1.0. 2015](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/4.1.0)
6. [Release 5.0.0. 2019](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/5.0.0)
7. [Release 5.1.0. 2020](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/5.1.0)
8. [Release 6.0.0. 2020](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.0.0)
9. [Release 6.0.1. 2020](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.0.1)
10. [Release 6.1. 2020](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.1)
11. [Release 6.1.0. 2020](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.1.0)
12. [Release 6.1.1. 2021](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.1.1)
13. [Release 6.2. 2022](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.2)
14. [Release 6.2.0. 2022](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.2.0)
15. [Release 6.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.0)
16. [Release 6.3.1. 2024](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.1)
17. [Release 6.3.2. 2025](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.2)
18. [Release 6.3.3. 2025](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.3)
19. [Release 6.3.4. 2025](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.4)
20. [Release 6.3.5. 2026](https://github.com/datashield/dsBaseClient/releases/tag/6.3.5)