SecureData Lab – Gateway to Empirical Economic Research

What we offer

Advanced infrastructure for economic analysis

SecureData Lab is designed to support advanced econometrics and data analysis. Powerful computers and parallel processing help researchers analyze complex datasets accurately and efficiently.

Key financial support for this infrastructure is provided by the National Bank of Slovakia Foundation.

Secure microdata processing

We uphold rigorous standards for the secure sharing and storage of microdata and enforce strict adherence to the Eurostat guidelines and relevant EU legal provisions among affiliated researchers.

Project support

We offer seamless access to our facilities and provide expert consultation throughout the research process, from project planning to application and execution.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for access to Eurostat microdata?

Each independent researcher employed at the Bratislava University of Economics and Business or affiliated researcher of an independent research institute.

PhD students and students cannot independently apply for access to Eurostat microdata. On their behalf, applications may only be submitted by their supervisors.

What microdata collections does Eurostat provide?

The microdata collections Eurostat provides for research purposes are listed here, with detailed descriptions of the datasets, the countries they come from and the range of years they cover. The list is updated regularly and gradually expanded.

Where can a researcher work on microdata sent by Eurostat?

Due to the obligation of special protection of the confidentiality of microdata, work on them can only take place at a microdata secure access point, created specifically for this purpose, in accordance with all the requirements of Eurostat.

Where is the microdata secure access point?

The secure access point to Eurostat microdata is located at the Department of Economic Policy (4th floor – Old Building), Bratislava University of Economics and Business. It is open during working hours.

There is a special computer workstation prepared for work on microdata, to which only authorized persons have access: the SecureData Lab Coordinator, the Applicant, and the Project Participants. Each of them has a specially created work account protected by a password and physical authentication key. The room is video-surveilled to enforce the correct use of the secure access point.

What could be the consequences of breaching the confidentiality of Eurostat microdata?

Any breach of the conditions specified may result in appropriate legal consequences. The European Commission can then:

withdraw consent to disclose confidential microdata to a given academic staff member of the Bratislava University of Economics and Business (EUBA) or all researchers participating in a specific research project,
withdraw consent to make confidential microdata available for all research projects submitted by EUBA researchers,
revoke the accreditation granted to the Bratislava University of Economics and Business,
require EUBA to take disciplinary action against the researcher responsible,
demand compensation from EUBA through civil law,
make a complaint or report the infringement to the police under national law (the Commission has the right to be the plaintiff in the main proceedings).

Each breach may be considered separately. Depending on the severity of the situation, appropriate measures may be taken in relation to academic staff of EUBA, in relation to EUBA, or toward the Slovak State on the basis of the Treaty on European Union.