| Abstract: | A grid is a distributed network of computers that can be used as a single information and computational resource for multiple datasets and sources. One of the key challenges of grid computing is that information in different datasets and different types of data such as text and image are likely to have different levels of sensitivity, disclosure risk and terms of use. This paper provides an overview of the development of grid computing and an examination of the disclosure risks poses. The research, funded under the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) e-Social Science Programme, specifically examined the development of grid computing in social science and the work of the e-Social Science grid pilot projects. The paper concludes that while a number of innovative grid enablement projects are in development there has only been a limited assessment of the additional disclosure risks grid computing may pose. The incorporation of effective confidentiality and disclosure control systems will be central in encouraging data holders to share their data and computational resources. |
