The confidential microdata that the FSRDC program provisions to researchers are physically located on computer servers at the Census Bureau’s Computer Center in Bowie, MD and accessed via the Census Bureau’s virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). In the physical FSRDC environment, researchers log into the VDI using a thin client. A thin client is a lightweight computer that relies on a central server for processing and storage (instead of doing it locally) and primarily functions as an access point to a more powerful server. Thin clients can only display information from the server and accept mouse and keyboard input from the researcher. Communications from the FSRDC thin clients to the servers are encrypted and transmitted via secure communications lines. If authorized for remote access, researchers may access the same VDI from their personal computing devices from their approved personal place of residence. More detailed information about physical and computing security and the physical operations of FSRDCs can be found on the Secure Research Facilities webpage. More information about remote access can be found on the Secure Remote Research Environment to Access Restricted-Use Data webpage. 

Research in the FSRDC secure research environment (both in a physical FSRDC and via remote access) takes place under a uniquely stringent set of policies, security controls, and other limitations. These limitations stem from the legal requirement to maintain confidentiality of the underlying microdata files to which researchers have been granted access. 

Physical access to FSRDCs is controlled and monitored by Census Bureau issued badges and badge readers and activity in FSRDCs is centrally-monitored by security cameras and by our on-site administrator. Partner institutions install Intrusion Detection Systems along with sensors.

Researchers cannot access the internet (or any other network) while in a physical FSRDC or while logged into VDI in a secure home office on projects approved for remote access. Thus, researchers are unable to download any information from the Census Bureau’s servers. All users’ activities are logged and monitored by Census Bureau staff. Furthermore, researchers are not allowed to bring laptop computers and other personal computer devices into a physical FSRDC (except a phone which they are only permitted to use for emergencies). The only personal computer devices allowed in a home office for approved remote-access of FSRDC data is a VDI-enabled personal computer (no cellphones or tablets or any other computers are allowed in the home office). FSRDC researchers can collaborate with other FSRDC researchers on the same project across the U.S. through the secure FSRDC computing environment. For more information on behavioral constraints while working in the FSRDC research environment, see the FSRDC Researcher Handbook described below and on the Secure Remote Research Environment to Access Restricted-Use Data webpage. 

FSRDC researchers have access to computing capacity to handle large datasets and complex calculations. Standard statistical, econometric, and programming software, including the packages listed below, are available in a Linux environment (available packages, including versions, are subject to change).

• Anaconda Python
• DuckDB
• GRASS GIS
• Mathematica
• MATLAB
• R
• Rstudio
• SAS
• Stata (SE/MP)
• Tomlab