Risk management and the release of microdata: Balancing disclosure risks and data utility

Abstract

Effective management of microdata acknowledges that there is no 'single fix' that will adequately address all of the potential risks associated with releasing unit record information. Different methods used to maximise data security have different risks and all data confidentialisation methods limit the usefulness of the underlying data (1). We have developed an approach to data management and release that takes a balanced view of potential re-identification or disclosure threats and prioritises data utility while actively addressing more probable risk scenarios. This balanced approach to risk management will be discussed in relation to the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) which is conducted every three years to measure children's development as they enter their first year of formal schooling. AEDC data is collected through a teacher-completed, online checklist that measures five areas of early childhood development. Issues relating to risk and the research community, data management risk mitigation strategies, microdata access modalities and the implications of sharing the risk between academics and the data custodians will be explored.