International Data Spaces (IDS) framework

Abstract

The International Data Spaces (IDS) framework (or standard), developed by the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), is designed to support the FAIR principles for data management (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), ensuring that data from both public and private sources is handled in a structured, reusable way. The framework integrates technical, organizational, and legal safeguards that cater to the needs of both the research community and private sector partners.

It emphasizes data sovereignty, allowing data providers (public or private) to retain control over their data while ensuring that appropriate access rights are enforced. IDS framework promotes secure data sharing in public-private partnerships, recognizing the sensitivities of proprietary industrial data while allowing public research data to be as open as possible. It provides mechanisms for defining clear usage policies for shared data, ensuring that all stakeholders' legal and legitimate interests are protected.

It provides a Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM) that includes legal agreements and compliance frameworks to facilitate secure and trustworthy data exchange between parties. It ensures adherence to legal requirements such as GDPR and intellectual property protection.

Overview

Country	International
Start date	2015
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	Academic cooperation
Target group(s)	Researchers, academic institutions, and industry partners
Policy instrument type	framework/standard

Background

In 2015 – The Industrial Data Space (IDS) Initiative was launched by the Fraunhofer Society to address the growing need for secure and standardized data sharing in industrial and research contexts. The International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) was established in 2016 to oversee the governance and development of the framework and to bring together stakeholders globally to refine its architecture and promote adoption. In 2018, the first version of the IDS Reference Architecture Model was released.

IDS is already applied in various fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental science, demonstrating its flexibility in different data-sharing ecosystems.

For example, it has been used to enable data sharing in smart manufacturing and to support collaborative research in precision medicine.

Objective(s)

To unlock the potential of data-driven innovation while safeguarding privacy, intellectual property, and security.

To create an environment where data can be securely and transparently shared and reused in compliance with FAIR principles, fostering innovation and collaboration while protecting the rights and interests of all stakeholders (public and private entities).

Public access URL

https://internationaldataspaces.org/

All tags

• Teachers
• 2015
• Academic cooperation
• Established researchers
• Students
• Research support staff
• Junior researchers
• International
• Higher education institutes
• Responsibility, Ownership & Stewardship
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Firms
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Public research institutes

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