About IDSA
About the International Data Spaces Association
The International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) is on a mission to create the future of the global, digital economy. Its 140+ member companies and institutions have created the International Data Spaces (IDS) standard: a secure system of sovereign and trusted data sharing in which all participants can realize the full value of their data. IDS enables new smart services and innovative business processes to work across companies and industries, while ensuring that the control of data remains in the hands of data providers. We call this data sovereignty.
Pioneering the future of the data economy: IDSA’s role
The overarching goal of IDSA is to lay the groundwork for a fair data economy, where data providers, consumers, and all stakeholders can reap balanced and equitable benefits. It is not just about collecting data; it’s about putting it to meaningful use. The strategic value of data extends beyond individual organizations – it thrives in collaborative ecosystems. The more data is shared, the more its value multiplies, creating a mutually beneficial cycle.
However, this valuable cycle demands a delicate balance. Data providers need assurance that their data is handled responsibly and that they receive a fair share of the value generated from it. On the other side, consumers of data require the confidence that the data they are (re-)using comes from a trustworthy source. This duality forms the foundation of a fair data economy.
IDSA recognizes that establishing a just data economy necessitates defined rules and terms of conditions that govern data transactions. These transactions transpire in data spaces, which facilitate seamless data sharing across geographical and organizational boundaries.
As a non-for-profit association, IDSA is on a mission to set the standard for data spaces that address the core needs of data sovereignty. Its endeavors yield three main outcomes:
- Specification: The IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS RAM) outlines the roles and capabilities essential for constructing and operating data spaces. The Dataspace Protocol is a detailed set of rules designed to facilitate interoperable data sharing. The IDSA Rulebook contains all functional as well as technical, operational, and legal requirements to build and operate data spaces.
- Open-source software (OSS): IDSA champions the development of open-source software, collaborating with like-minded foundations that share the vision of a just data economy.
- Standardization: IDSA drives the adoption of its work by established standardization bodies such as IEEE, CEN-CENELEC and ISO.
IDSA recognizes that achieving a fair data economy requires a collective effort. It collaborates with leading data associations within the Data Space Business Alliance (DSBA) to promote harmonized standard-setting. Initiatives like Gaia-X, FIWARE, and IDTA unite to create a robust foundation for cross-domain applications.
