Data generated in research projects is often unique and must be securely protected. This includes safeguarding intellectual propertyThe German Copyright Act (UrhG) protects certain intellectual creations (works) and services. Works include literary works, photographic, film and musical works, as well as scientific or technical representations such as drawings, plans, maps, sketches, tables and plastic representations (§ 2 UrhG). The artistic, scientific achievements of persons or the investment made, on the other hand, are considered to be services worthy of protection (ancillary copyright).The author is entitled to publish and utilize the work. Read More, sensitive personal dataWithin the category of personal data, there is a subset known as special categories of personal data. Their definition originates from Article 9(1) of the EU GDPR (2016), which states that these include information about the data subject’s: Read More, contractually protected research findings (such as results from commissioned research), and trade secrets. Moreover, unpublished scientific insights also require protection (Biernacka, 2021, p. 116).

Fields such as social and cultural anthropology frequently work with sensitive participant data that contains confidential, personal, and legally protected information, potentially raising serious data protection concerns.

„For ethically responsible research, it is therefore essential to develop and implement a strategy to protect the identity of study participants.“

(Trixa & Ebel, 2015, p. 12)¹ Translated by Saskia Köbschall.

Ideally, researchers should consider data security as early as possible – preferably during the planning phase of their project. Additionally, some research funding agencies, such as the German Research Foundation (DFG), now require information on how data security will be ensured as part of funding applications (DFG, 2022). This requirement may become more widespread, as universities are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks in which hackers have stolen and leaked personal data on the dark web. Recent incidents at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Reule, 2023), the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin, 2023), and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HUU, 2023) illustrate the growing risks. Beyond external threats, researchers also have a personal interest in protecting their extensive research efforts and results. Data security measures should therefore be regularly reviewed and optimized throughout the research project to ensure their effectiveness.

Evidence in Data Affairs

Data Security