2. Introduction¶

2.1 Document purpose¶

The purpose of the document is to specify Data Exchange Services, including high level architecture and key requirements for data value, trust and compliance.

Enabling digital transformation as well as developing innovative services requires the right data at the right time, aggregating from multiple sources to produce valuable insightful information. However, within most organizations, data sharing is too often stalled by stakeholder resistance, data governance policies, lack of tools, and inability to address regulatory constraints.

Overcoming these resistances requires to establish reliable trust mechanisms throughout the data sharing process. The Gaia-X Data Product concept and its operational model, together with the Gaia-X Data Exchange Services, provide such mechanisms. In addition, they provide mechanisms to facilitate and demonstrate compliance with the European regulations regarding data (GDPR and Data Act).

2.2 Document structure¶

This document opens with a presentation of the Gaia-X Data Product conceptual model.

It then describes the core services that enable trustworthy data sharing across participants.

Subsequently, it provides a detailed overview of the Data Products Catalogue and introduces initial considerations related to Data Access Logging.

Next, it explores the Data Usage Agreement in depth, as a core concept of the Gaia-X data sharing model.

Finally, it outlines the Policies for data exchange and the use of ODRL, including illustrative examples.