JOSUA & STATSDIRECT
JOSUA is a modern and flexible suite of software and technologies for secure remote computing against any data
Data Providers
Open your data to researchers worldwide using the most appropriate methods. Maximize its research value while ensuring security.
Researchers
Conduct research with sensitive data from anywhere, without the need to travel.
Learn how JOSUA and STATSDIRECT can support your publication requirements.
Open Data Securely
Enable access to sensitive research data in a user-friendly, secure, and GDPR-compliant environment when other access options are not feasible.
JOSUA
JOSUA is a web application which allows researchers to upload research code to be run under a controlled environment and view publishable research results.
The code goes to the data
The researcher never leaves their home or office
The data never leaves its premises
Scalability and Performance
Statsdirect
Statsdirect is a secure remote desktop environment for working with sensitive research data. Unlike JOSUA, it allows researchers to work interactively within a controlled infrastructure, while preventing unauthorized data exports. All exports are subject to review by authorized entities to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and the data providers’ usage conditions.
PILS principle: access on the basis of Person, Institution, Legal conditions and Scientific project
Researchers can view the data on the screen
Export / Import gateway: GDPR censorship
Packages
JOSUA and Statsdirect supports a wide range of well-known statistical software packages for modern empirical research.
SPSS
STATA
R Statistic
Matlab
Python
Functionalities
- Project/Job overview for researchers and custodians
- Choose by project/user whether to start compute jobs automatically or manually
- Active directory support
- Easy user and project management
- Easy management of compute resources
- Choose by project/user whether to release output results automatically or manually
- Input filters
- Output filters
- Manual and automatic filtering
- Email notifications for researchers and data custodians
- Write your own filters in a programming language of your choice
- GDPR conformal
- Push-button replications for respositories
Filters
As a data provider, you know the stakes are high. Your data is sensitive and valuable, and it must remain secure while being opened for research.
You can review incoming code before it runs on your data and check output results before they are released for publication. As you become familiar with what is allowed and what is not, you can define rules (filters) for inbound jobs (e.g. to block certain code or commands) and outbound results (e.g. to ensure compliance with privacy regulations), reducing the need for manual review.
You can implement these filters using the programming language of your choice.
FAQ
Some questions we got frequently from Researchers and Data Providers regarding to JOSUA.
From Researchers.
How can I use external command libraries, e.g. Stata-Ado, additional R packages etc.?
External-libraries are available both during on-site visit and in remote data access from an offline repository in JOSUA and must be installed manually. Only if external command libraries are not part of the repository, they can be uploaded via JOSUA and are then available for remote data processing as well as for on-site visits.
Can I add external aggregate data?
Yes. You can merge external variables on an aggregated level (districts, geocodes etc.). But, an upload of aggregated data with JOSUA is not intended and must pass inspection and approval first.
From Data Providers.
Can I trace all activities of a user?
All input and generated outputs are stored and logged with a time stamp in a comprehensible manner for every user and project on an individual level, regardless of whether the respective inquiry is successful or not.
How can I control input and output according to our privacy policy?
Filter settings can be designed individually for each platform. The most restrictive setting is a manual check of all syntax inputs and result outputs. Automatic rules for incoming syntax and outputs can also be defined for command combinations, impermissible commands or numbers.
Can't find the answer you need?
Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with a solution to whatever issues you're having with JOSUA.
CONTACT
We can help you improve the access to your data.
