A Standard Architecture for Trusted Research Environments

SATRE - Standard Architecture

This Standard Architecture for Trusted Research Environments (TREs) provides a comprehensive high-level architecture for research organisations handling sensitive data. Required capabilities are documented along with the key roles, processes, data and applications that realise those capabilities. By providing this architecture, TRE designers and implementers will be able to identify additions and changes within their organisation to ensure sensitive data research can be conducted safely and consistently.

Expore the architecture online with the architecture viewer

Use and extend the SATRE architecture through the GitHub repository

Implementation of the architecture should be done in line with the SATRE 2.0 specification found here: https://satre-specification.readthedocs.io/

SATRE 2.0 and the evolving UK landscape of Trusted Research Environments

The Standardised Architecture for Trusted Research Environments (SATRE) began as a DARE UK Driver Project to build a reference TRE architecture. Since its initial release, SATRE has been adopted and assessed by TRE operators across the UK. As part of the DARE UK TREvolution Programme, version 2.0 represents a significant maturation of the specification based on that real-world experience.

SATRE 2.0 has been shaped by an extensive community engagement process, including Collaboration Cafés, practitioner workshops and structured feedback from early adopters. The result is a more complete and refined architecture that addresses federation between TREs, strengthened cyber resilience requirements and emerging needs around AI and machine learning workloads within sensitive data environments.

The SATRE project continues to be informed by the needs, wants and aims of the TRE community, including policy makers, builders, operators, users and importantly the general public whose sensitive data are being used within TREs for research for the public good.