Choosing a new database is a big decision with long-term impact on a program’s ability to manage and protect survivor information. When choosing a database, you need to consider more than whether this database will meet your program’s needs (collect and store the information that I need it to and export this information into reports) but also other very important considerations, such as confidentially obligations, security designs, privacy requirements, and more. This page includes resources and information on how you can select the best database for your program. 

Tools

• Client Information Databases & Confidentiality: A Guide

• Database Vendor Checklist

• Database Review Chart

• Webinar: Understanding Database Options

• Conference Call: Choosing a Database

HMIS & HUD Specific Resources

• Comparable Database 101: What Victim Service Providers Need to Know

• HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) - Grantee Monitoring for Victim Service Providers

Additional Resources

• In House Services vs. Cloud Based Services

• Data Breaches

  • Resource: Data Breaches & Victim Service Providers: Considerations for Developing Effective Policies

  • Webinar Recording: Data Breach Notifications & Survivor Confidentiality

• Data Retention & Deletion

  • Resource: FAQ on Data Retention & Deletion

  • Webinar: Survivor Data: Collection, Retention & Deletion Best Practices

• Data Security Checklist

For more on confidentiality obligations, visit our Confidentiality Toolkit.