Federated Data System and Inter-administrative Data Strategy

A year has passed since the launch of the Federated Data System, a vital part of the Inter-administrative Data Strategy (IBDS). This system aims to streamline data sharing across different government sectors and agencies. Let’s review the progress achieved over the past year, as detailed by Tim Faber and Ronald Slomp.

Faber explains that IBDS gained significant momentum last year and continues, “2022 was about getting started, and now we’re moving full steam ahead. Earlier this year, we established the Multi-Year Approach on an inter-administrative level and are now seeing results across the entire programme.”

Cameras and drones in public spaces

The Advisory Function on responsible data usage has issued guidance on using cameras and drones in public spaces, as well as on implementing Privacy Enhancing Technologies to manage access and deletion requests for personal data in the Justice and Security domain. Other government bodies are now adopting this advice. Faber states, “Based on these recommendations, we’ve identified key themes to progress. Working alongside other government organisations, such as the Public Service Network, we are exploring how to develop the Advisory Function further and increase its impact. Forated a title for this initiative: Triage Desk.”

This year also marked the launch of the Knowledge Centre, an initiative aimed at supporting government organisations in responsibly implementing data-driven approaches. The Centre offers expertise, information, and best practices. A key focus this year has been the Data Dialogues, dedicated to developing a scientifically supported methodology for effectively managing discussions around value tensions. The goal of these dialogues is to establish a clear framework for decision-making when public values conflict. Questions addressed include societal preferences regarding specific data-related issues and the balance between public values such as privacy, autonomy, and equality and concerns such as safety, public health, or government efficiency. The initial dialogues have already taken place, covering topics such as energy transition.

Federated Data System

The Federated Data System has also advanced. Efforts are currently concentrated on developing the target architecture, with the basic concept open for feedback on NORA Online. “We’ve also caught up, just like the IBDS,” says Ronald Slomp. “We’re now gradually developing the concept further. Of course, the target architecture offers guidance on how we should collectively organise things. In doing so, we are examining Europe closely, focusing on its data vision and the development of data spaces. We’re working to integrate this into our target architecture to ensure it meets the needs of the involved parties us. After all, government organisations face numerous challenges. Additionally, we have identified several system functions, such as a gatekeeper, primarily concerned with the responsible use of data. We need to be much more transparent, for example, in informing citizens about what the government does with their data. When is it used? By whom? On what basis? As far as we’re concerned, the gatekeeper plays an important role in that.”

The Federated Data System is in the process of developing a draft bill. Slomp comments, “Obviously, this is a marathon, not a sprint. There are many steps and decisions remaining before we can finalise the plan. The priority is on establishing agreements and standards rather than building a central system.  Our goal is to ensure that all datasets with broader reuse potential are thoroughly documented. We also plan to standardise metadata usage across the board. The CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics) has recently made a significant move by adding a large portion of its closed datasets to data.overheid.nl, which is an excellent first step. We’re looking to expand on this significantly. In addition, we will conduct an inventory of all registers with legal grounds. These should be part of the Federated Data System. Consider, for instance, the BIG register in healthcare or the DUO’s graduate diploma register. These are registers that may not be basic registrations right now, but they do contain a single source of truth.”

Digilab

A tangible initiative that emerged last year is Digilab. It was established through collaborative efforts from Data at the Source (Data bij de Bron), Control of Data (Regie op Gegevens), Common Ground, IBDS, and the Federated Data System. Slomp comments, “Digilab’s aim is to enhance interoperability to enable cross-sectoral data sharing.” There is an impressive piece of technology in place, capable of quickly addressing and developing a use case, whether it be a federated catalogue or a standard for logging. These are all essential components for the future functionality of the Federated Data System, which can be tested with various parties. It’s not just a data-centric celebration; we are genuinely working towards societal added value. If you think you have a potential component to contribute, contact Digilab to explore collaboration and potential upscaling opportunities. It’s truly accessible to all.”

Governance

The Inter-administrative Data Consultation (IDO) provides strategic direction to the IBDS. The management of the IBDS is primarily under the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), mainly because the inter-administrative parties have steered it in this direction. Faber explains, “BZK was asked to lead this to prevent an unregulated or ‘comply-or-explain’ approach. Receiving this trust from our partners is one of the highest compliments we can receive. Together with our intergovernmental partners, we aim to create a ‘compelling inevitability’: the goal is to get everyone on board with this strategy. We expect to engage many positively, but ultimately, we might need to be assertive with those lagging behind.”

Faber believes that many in the government are still unaware of their lack of proficiency in effectively using data’s potential. “They are unaware of the potential, so they miss out on opportunities to improve their work and tasks. We are addressing this, partly through better communication. Working with data should eventually become ‘business as usual’.”

This transition demands a lot from the executing agencies, Slomp adds. “We must remember that we are in a long-term approach. We are advancing step by step.”

IBDS is one of the few initiatives that successfully achieves true inter-administrative collaboration, Faber asserts. “We often hear from other government bodies that this is an exemplary model. It’s ingrained in the DNA of the entire programme, and I believe that’s a critical factor for success.”

System Day: A showcase of progress

The significance of this will be evident on 23 November 2023 at the System Day (Stelseldag), a conference focusing on the Inter-administrative Data Strategy and the Federated Data System. On that day, there will be ongoing efforts to tackle the challenges of the Federated Data System right across the Common Ground field lab. Slomp remarks, “During System Day, you’ll get a complete overview of the various initiatives we’re collaboratively engaged in. It is fascinating to observe the connections and cohesion among all these projects.” Faber agrees, adding, “It’s also noteworthy that there’s such administrative interest the day after the election. State Secretary Van Huffelen will also attend. This, to me, is a clear indicator of how this topic is gaining priority on the agenda.” On 23 November, the State Secretary will also launch the National Innovation Centre for Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (NICPET).”