Connecticut launches Secure Data Enclave to centralize sensitive DataLink CT research

Adrianna Sanchez Domnissi, project manager for the Secure Data Enclave at OPM, told the board on June 18 that the state has put a secure environment into production to centralize and protect sensitive datasets used for DataLink CT research requests.

"In June of this year ... we are officially launching the secure data enclave," Sanchez Domnissi said, describing a two‑year effort to stand up the environment and the teams who supported it.

She described the enclave as "a secure environment that's meant to centralize, protect, and manage the sensitive data for DataLink CT requests," and said immediate post‑launch priorities include clarifying onboarding processes, publishing clear documentation, evaluating research‑ready datasets to reduce repeated preparation work, and developing processes for persistent linked identifiers.

Project leaders said the enclave was developed largely with internal state IT capacity and in partnership with DAS and DataLink CT operating groups, with the aim of keeping the solution sustainable within state systems. They flagged ongoing work on cloud and storage security, governance processes and documentation to support partner agencies and external requesters.

Next steps: finalize onboarding materials and operating procedures, coordinate with agency data stewards to determine which prepped datasets should be maintained in the enclave, and continue governance work to ensure controlled access and privacy protections for sensitive personal data. No formal action or vote accompanied the launch announcement.

The announcement included expressions of thanks to multiple internal teams and voluntary partners who supported implementation.