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Data is no longer merely an IT concern; it is essential for nearly all facets of government activity, including service delivery, AI, cloud computing, security, and collaboration across organisations.
René Steenvoorden, chair of the NDS priority 2 Data acceleration team, emphasises that effective service delivery depends on high-quality data. “Good public service starts with reliable data. Otherwise, decisions and support might miss the mark.”
Central role of data
With over 30 years in IT and currently responsible for IT, data, and data provision at UWV, Steenvoorden sees firsthand how essential data is to government operations. “Everything revolves around data, whether you’re talking about service delivery, AI, cloud, or resilience.”
This is why data plays a central role in the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS). “For instance, AI involves training models with the right data, while cloud computing focuses on managing, storing, and securing data. Ultimately, when addressing sovereignty and resilience, it all boils down to having control over data.”
The foundation for better service delivery
Steenvoorden notes that the societal importance of data depends on how citizens and entrepreneurs perceive the government. Although citizens view the government as a unified body, in reality, many organisations and systems still function separately. “Citizens expect that once they provide information, it should be accessible across different organisations, and they shouldn’t have to recount their story each time they interact with a new government entity.”
He cites people with complex debt or financial problems who often deal with multiple government bodies. “They often have to explain their situation repeatedly, which can be embarrassing. Better data sharing, securely and within privacy frameworks, can make a huge difference for citizens.”
“Entrepreneurs also face daily challenges stemming from fragmented data exchange. Employers deal with multiple desks, reports, and obligations that don’t communicate with one another. For smaller businesses, this is particularly complicated. There’s still a lot to gain here.”
Much is being done, but overall coherence is sometimes lacking
Steenvoorden acknowledges that much is already underway in data and data sharing, including the Policy on Proactive Service Delivery (Wet proactieve dienstverlening, in Dutch), which aims to make it easier for people to access the benefits to which they’re entitled. “Many citizens still don’t use the schemes they’re eligible for, even though those schemes are designed to help them.”
Many initiatives still operate in silos. “Everyone is trying to do the right thing, but organisations often choose their own systems, standards, or set-ups. These differences hinder collaboration. The IBDS programme helps by providing government-wide frameworks, best practices, and support.”
He likens it to incompatible toys: “Take LEGO bricks, for example. If everyone uses the same bricks, they connect easily. But if one uses LEGO, another Playmobil, and a third a different toy, they won’t fit together properly.” Steenvoorden emphasises that this issue requires more than technical agreements; it also demands administrative attention. “Architectural decisions are usually made at an operational level, but they can have significant implications for data sharing and reuse. Administrators need to be more aware of this.”
Data sharing remains complex
The Data priority focuses on 3 key pillars: data sharing challenges, data maturity, and the Federated Data System (FDS) (Dutch). Data sharing challenges remain complex because technical, legal, and organisational issues are constantly intertwined. “Due to privacy and GDPR, organisations often opt for the safest or least risky route. Although I understand, this doesn’t always serve citizens and employers well. More administrative courage and risk acceptance could help here.”
Funding also plays a role. The organisation that invests in better data sharing isn’t always the one that benefits. “Optimising the accessibility of a base registry for others requires money and capacity, but the benefits mainly accrue to other organisations that use the data. We need to address these issues collectively.”
Data maturity: moving from discussion to practical support
The acceleration team’s primary goal is to raise awareness of the importance of data and to provide practical support. One example is the Data Maturity Assessment (DMA), which helps organisations gain better insight into the quality, organisation, and use of their data. “It helps answer questions such as: What data do we have? Who is responsible for it? Is it up to date and consistent?”
Steenvoorden cites the province of South Holland, where this tool is used for environmental policy. “So many themes come together there, from water quality to housing, you name it. Structured insight into what information you need and what quality it should be is incredibly helpful.”
He stresses the importance of keeping such tools practical. “They’re meant to help organisations assess the biggest risks, for instance, or the biggest benefits, and what you can learn from others.”
Federated Data System as a shared foundation
The third pillar is the Federated Data System (FDS), which keeps data as close to the source as possible while enabling organisations to share information securely and in a standardised way. Steenvoorden highlights its key advantages: “It’s safer to keep data at the source rather than have copies everywhere. It reduces privacy, errors, and security risks.”
The FDS also helps organisations manage the growing volume of laws and regulations. “If you follow the FDS standards and agreements, you know you’re organising things consistently and properly. With the developments in information security and European regulations, this is crucial.”
The acceleration team is developing concrete examples and visible milestones for the FDS to demonstrate how this approach supports organisations in data sharing and collaboration.
Urgency is mounting
Steenvoorden believes the urgency of this priority has risen sharply in recent years, driven by developments in cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity. “Attackers can move much faster with AI than before. That’s why we need to know exactly what data we have, what’s critical, where it’s stored, and how it’s protected.”
He highlights recent incidents at organisations such as Odido and ChipSoft. “Vulnerability can affect anyone. We can’t keep putting this off. We must address it now. Safeguarding data is a matter of critical urgency.”
No isolated issue
For Steenvoorden, the key message is that data isn’t a standalone topic. “The NDS’s strength is that it connects data to other themes such as AI, cloud, and service delivery. We shouldn’t treat this as an isolated issue.”
At the same time, he emphasises that organisations aren’t alone. “There’s plenty of practical help available, for example at realisatieibds.nl (Dutch). Seek it out. Attend meetings, see what’s already been developed, and learn from one another.”
Ultimately, it’s about the societal value of improved data sharing and collaboration. “That’s why we’re doing it: improved services for citizens, entrepreneurs, and the government.”
