This paper introduces the Digital Reading Room (DRR), a secure on‑site environment that allows researchers to work with sensitive or restricted datasets while meeting strict GDPR and EU data governance requirements. The DRR adapts the traditional archival reading room to the digital era, ensuring controlled access, monitored use, and privacy‑preserving output checks based on the Five Safes Framework. As part of the DAMAR project, the first DRR will be implemented at the State Archives of Belgium and later linked to international networks like IDAN, enabling safe cross‑border research on valuable but sensitive data.