SDE Accreditation Readiness Audit

There is strategic importance of achieving the planned 2026 UKSA Secure Data Environment (SDE) accreditation for NHS England and the necessity of conducting a readiness audit to ensure compliance and maximise outcomes.

• The Data Access Policy sets out a clear commitment to make data access the default for secondary uses of NHS data, underpinned by secure, accredited environments. Accreditation is not optional—it is a DHSC policy requirement endorsed by the Goldacre and Sudlow Reviews and reinforced in the Data Saves Lives strategy. The policy mandates that all Secure Data Environments (SDEs) hosting NHS data must demonstrate compliance with stringent standards across:
• Security and Cybersecurity – robust controls to prevent breaches and ensure resilience.
• Governance and Transparency – clear accountability, public engagement, and ethical oversight.
• Operational Assurance – evidence that platforms can deliver safe, scalable, an