Founded in 2018, the International Data Access Network (IDAN) aims to create an operational international framework to facilitate researcher access to controlled microdata via reciprocal provision of Safe Room Remote Desktop Access between 6 Research Data Centres from 4 different countries: France, Germany, United Kingdom and The Netherlands. The paper describes the outcomes of IDAN’s first 2 years including a ’quick wins‘ strategy; bilateral access agreements; security requirement agreements; first research projects showcasing France and Germany; and concludes discussing next steps towards a Network agreement that will allow researchers to combine data for analysis in the same research environment.