6 October 2021

Data Protection Toolkit for Archive Services

Earlier this summer, we launched the brand new Data Protection Toolkit for Archive Services, commissioned by The National Archives and delivered by Naomi Korn Associates in collaboration with an advisory group of archivists.

Archival collections are a hive of information but managing requests for access to personal data held within them can be challenging. Understanding the legislation and what needs to be complied with, combined with respecting the privacy of data subjects, and meeting the needs of researchers, can place archivists and those working within archive services, in murky waters.  

This toolkit has been designed to support archivists deal with these issues, by providing a structured approach to decision making as well as offering helpful checklists, forms and templates that can be adapted and used within archive service. 

The toolkit offers a simplified overview of the statutory, regulatory, ethical and policy essentials in the context of access of information in archives. We’ve then provided 10 different case studies exploring how each of these elements might apply. By using the toolkit, we hope archive services and those who work within them, can gain a deeper and broader understanding of the factors that need to be considered when providing access to a collection. It also aims to boost confidence levels in understanding and applying data protection legislation. 

“I’m delighted that 500+ people have signed up for the Data Protection Toolkit for Archive Services.  Giving people a chance to explore the statutory, regulatory, ethical and policy contexts plus a framework for taking access decisions is proving invaluable for all those managing access requests relating to archives that contain personal data”.

Caroline Sampson, Development Managers: National and Networks, The National Archives

Would you like to sign up to the toolkit? Follow the link here to the Eventbrite page, where you will need to register your details to gain access to the toolkit. The staff at The National Archives with complete the sign up process for you, and you’ll then receive a confirmation email with your log in details for the toolkit shortly after.