System Day: The Federated Data System and Inter-administrative Data Strategy

A year has passed since the launch of the Federated Data System, a key component of the Inter-administrative Data Strategy (IBDS). This system is set to simplify data sharing across various government sectors and chains. Let’s take a look at the progress made over the past year, as outlined 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 provided guidance on using cameras and drones in public spaces, and on employing Privacy Enhancing Technologies for handling access and deletion requests of personal data in the Justice and Security domain. This advice is now being adopted by other government entities. Faber remarks, “Based on these recommendations, we’ve formulated key themes to advance. Working alongside other government bodies, such as the Public Service Network, we are looking at how to develop the Advisory Function further and enhance its impact. For this, we’ve created a title for this initiative: Triage Desk.”

This year also marked the launch of the Knowledge Centre, an initiative aimed at assisting government organisations aspiring to responsibly implement data-driven approaches. The Centre provides 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 objective of such dialogues is to establish a well-defined framework for decision-making when public values are in conflict. Questions addressed include societal preferences in specific data-related issues and the balancing of public values such as privacy, autonomy, and equality against concerns such as safety, public health, or governmental efficiency. The initial dialogues have already taken place, with topics such as the energy transition.

Federated Data System

The Federated Data System has also made progress. Efforts are currently focused on developing the target architecture, with the basic concept available for feedback on NORA Online. “We’ve also gotten up to speed, just like the IBDS,” says Ronald Slomp. “We’re now gradually fleshing out the concept. Of course, the target architecture provides guidance on how we should collectively organise things. In doing so, we’re looking very closely at Europe, its data vision, and the development of data spaces. We’re trying to integrate this into our target architecture to make sure it covers the needs of the parties that are involved with us. After all, government organisations are facing a considerable number of challenges. In addition, we’ve also defined a number of system functions, such as a gatekeeper, which is 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 gradually developing a draft bill. Slomp shares, “Obviously, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. There’s still a long way to go and many decisions to be made before we can definitively determine how it will all come together. The focus is on creating agreements and standards rather than constructing anything centrally.  We aim to ensure that all datasets with potential for wider reuse are well-documented. We’re planning 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 their closed datasets to data.overheid.nl, which is an excellent first step. We’re looking to significantly expand on this. 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’s an impressive piece of technology in place, capable of swiftly tackling 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 we can test with various parties. It’s not just a data-centric festivity; we’re genuinely working towards societal added value. If you think you have a potential component to contribute, contact Digilab and explore the collaboration and potential upscaling possibilities. 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 for BZK. 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 positively engage many, 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 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 be attending as well. 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).”