A Secure CDM-Based Data Analysis Platform (SCAP) in Multi-Centered Distributed Setting

Abstract

Hospitals have their own database structures and maintain their data in a closed manner. For this reason, it is difficult for researchers outside of institutions to access multi-center data. Therefore, if the data maintained by all hospitals follow a commonly shared format, researchers can analyze multi-center data using the same method. To safely analyze data using a common data model (CDM) in a distributed multi-center network environment, the objective of this study is to propose and implement the processes for distribution, executing the analysis codes, and returning the results. A secure CDM-based data analysis platform (SCAP) consists of a certificate authority (CA), authentication server (AS), code signer (CS), ticket-granting server (TGS), relaying server (RS), and service server (SS). The AS, CS, TGS, and RS form the central server group of the platform. An SS is stored on a hospital server as an agent for communication with the server group. We designed the functionalities and communication protocols among servers. To safely conduct the intended functions, the proposed protocol was implemented based on a cryptographic algorithm. An SCAP was developed as a web application running on this protocol. Users accessed the platform through a web-based interface.