Statistical database design

Abstract

The security problem of a statistical database is to limit the use of the database so that no sequence of statistical queries is sufficient to deduce confidential or private information. In this paper it is suggested that the problem be investigated at the conceptual data model level. The design of a statistical database should utilize a statistical security management facility to enforce the security constraints at the conceptual model level. Information revealed to users is well defined in the sense that it can at most be reduced to nondecomposable information involving a group of individuals. In addition, the design also takes into consideration means of storing the query information for auditing purposes, changes in the database, users' knowledge, and some security measures.