Dataspace OS (DOS) is a flexible, cloud-based platform created to support companies in effectively utilizing and managing data spaces such as Catena-X and Mobility Data Space.
Key Features
Comprehensive Toolset - Effortlessly create and manage services like the Eclipse Data Space Connector (EDC), Digital Twin Registry (DTR), and Submodel Service (Asset Administration Shell).
Flexibility and Scalability - The Catena-X and Dataspace OS platform enables user-defined, secure data spaces, offering an ideal solution for organizations seeking customizable and scalable data management capabilities.
Robust Security - Leverage advanced security features to safeguard your data, while utilizing the robust and flexible tools provided by Dataspace OS.
Decentralized and Federated Architecture
The Catena-X dataspace operates on a decentralized, federated model where each participant remains autonomous. Instead of centralizing data storage, data remains within the control of each participant.
This architecture reduces dependencies on a single, centralized system and promotes flexibility by allowing participants to manage their own data policies and infrastructure.
Federated data access also encourages scalability, as new participants can join the network without major changes to the overall structure.
Data Sovereignty
A critical aspect of Catena-X is data sovereignty, which allows data owners to control who can access their data and under what conditions.
This includes setting terms for data usage, ensuring compliance with regulations, and protecting proprietary or sensitive information.
Standards like the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) standards are typically followed to support data sovereignty, enabling a secure and trusted environment for data sharing.
Interoperability Standards
Catena-X enforces interoperability by implementing shared standards and protocols for data exchange, ensuring that different systems within the network can communicate seamlessly.
Standards for data formats, metadata structures, and communication protocols allow diverse stakeholders to exchange data smoothly, even if they use different internal systems.
Adopting open standards minimizes integration challenges and makes it easier for participants to onboard and interact within the dataspace.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Identity and Access Management is essential in a collaborative environment, providing mechanisms to verify participants' identities and manage permissions.
IAM solutions in Catena-X ensure that only authorized participants have access to specific data resources.
Typically, IAM is handled through distributed ledger technology or other verifiable systems, adding a layer of security and trust by ensuring each participant’s identity can be independently verified.
Trust Framework and Compliance
Trust is essential in the Catena-X dataspace, where data is shared between competitors and partners alike. A trust framework provides the rules and standards that each participant must follow.
Compliance with industry-specific regulations, as well as data protection regulations like GDPR, is mandatory. This is facilitated by a framework that includes policies for data privacy, security, and auditability.
Certification processes and governance rules ensure that participants comply with these standards, fostering a trustworthy ecosystem.
Data Governance and Policies
Data governance structures define how data should be handled, shared, and managed within Catena-X. This includes policies on data quality, lifecycle management, and retention.
Governance policies help participants understand their responsibilities and the legal or contractual obligations associated with shared data.
By clearly defining governance standards, Catena-X enables participants to share data in a controlled manner, reducing risks related to data misuse or misinterpretation.
Data Usage Control and Smart Contracts
Data usage control goes beyond just access permissions by setting conditions on how shared data can be used by recipients.
Smart contracts, often implemented on blockchain or other distributed ledger technologies, are used to automate these usage controls.
For example, a data provider might specify that shared data can only be used for specific analytics but cannot be redistributed or modified, and smart contracts can enforce these conditions programmatically.
Secure Data Transmission and Storage
Data in Catena-X is transmitted securely using encryption protocols, ensuring that data remains protected during exchange.
Security measures are also applied to the storage of data to prevent unauthorized access or breaches, whether the data is held locally or in the cloud.
This infrastructure provides confidence that data integrity and confidentiality are maintained throughout the sharing process.
Metadata and Data Catalogs
Metadata plays a crucial role in a dataspace by providing context and descriptions for shared data, making it easier for participants to locate, understand, and utilize relevant datasets.
Data catalogs list available datasets along with their metadata, access terms, and other relevant information, helping participants navigate the dataspace efficiently.
By standardizing metadata, Catena-X improves discoverability and usability, allowing participants to make more informed decisions regarding data usage.