If you are a current user of Health and Retirement Study restricted data, or plan to be in the future, you should be aware that the HRS has adopted an audit procedure for all users of restricted data. The intent of this policy is to:

• increase security awareness in order to guard against exposure of restricted data to intruders
• assure holders of administrative records that their contributions will not result in breaches of respondent confidentiality
• lay the foundation for improvements to the restricted data access process
.

The audit process involves an unannounced visit to the work site(s) by an independent investigator, who will seek to verify compliance with the restricted user’s data protection plan. Violations will be the subject of further investigation and may result in withdrawal of data access, among other possible penalties.

For further information, please read the full text of the Audit Announcement.

Health and Retirement Study	Institute for Social Research	University of Michigan
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