A wider map, a steadier compass: As data spaces cross new borders, they call for a wider lens and sharper technical accuracy. The IDSA Working Group Certification now has two new co-chairs – from China and the Netherlands – bringing experience that spans continents, standards bodies, and sectors.
Dr. Yan Liu from the China Future Internet Engineering Center (CFIEC) and Harm Jan Arendshorst from iLabs Technologies in the Netherlands will co-lead the Working Group Certification. Both are longtime contributors in fields such as cybersecurity, interoperability testing, and certification infrastructure. Their appointment reflects a key shift: certification is no longer just a technical milestone; it’s a foundation for trusted digital cooperation.
Dr. Yan Liu has been involved in the topic of data spaces since 2019, currently leading the CFIEC technical team and co-chairing the IPv6 Ready Logo International Certification Committee. With a background in protocol design and cybersecurity innovation, he aims to align China’s needs with IDS Certification. His focus is on strengthening the global relevance of IDSA’s work and building bridges across technical and regulatory contexts.
Harm Jan Arendshorst has spent his career in digital identity, AI, and IoT security. In his position as Director at iLabs Technologies, he’s led projects with organizations like NIST, OpenID Foundation and the World Bank. His goals include expanding the reach of IDS Certification, organizing plugfests and interoperability testbeds, and integrating feedback from industry and research to continuously improve the certification process.
Certification in data spaces is not just a checkbox. It defines the trust architecture that underpins data space deployments. With leadership spanning Europe and Asia, the working group is better positioned to understand and address global requirements. The co-chairs plan to collaborate closely with the community. Immediate steps include reviewing the current certification criteria, strengthening industry connections, and scaling test infrastructure for IDS solutions.
