Challenges and Chances of a distributed network architecture for sharing confidential data in the ESS

In many statistical offices with regional branches databases are created centrally out of several regional parts. The same situation is predominant in respect to confidential micro data in the European Statistical System where Eurostat centrally assembles databases out of dataset from the Member States. This paper uses the Eurostat example to highlight the benefits and challenges of a distributed database system. A distributed database syste, holds the regional parts of the database in the regional offices and centrally only stores the parameters how to combine the various parts. Query results then are provided to the user via secured VPN connections as if she is working with one single, not distributed database. The distributed database system can improve data quality, data security and availability, give regional branches full control over their data and lower costs. On the other side new infrastructure, security measures and standards are needed to establish such a system.