Trust Framework
Trust in this data space is established through the iSHARE Trust Framework. It defines the common agreements, roles, and standards that every participant must follow, ensuring consistency and fairness across the ecosystem. In this way, the trust framework helps translate governance rules into practical trust decisions that participants and services can verify and use in daily operations.
The framework provides the baseline for identity, authorisation, governance, and compliance, making it possible for independent parties to interact with confidence. The trust is achieved with the following principles:
The latest iSHARE Framework introduces several enhancements that strengthen the trust layer across interconnected data spaces:
iSHARE-ID and DID-based identification: Participants are identified through globally unique and verifiable identifiers, ensuring interoperability between different ecosystems.
Verifiable Credential support: The framework supports credential-based trust interactions using W3C Verifiable Credentials 2.0, including portable participant credentials and verifiable identity flows.
Credential exchange protocols: Credential exchange can be supported through protocols from the OpenID for Verifiable Credentials family and through DCP, depending on the use case and implementation context.
Trust Services Based on iSHARE-ID: Authorisation, delegation, and certification processes now leverage iSHARE-ID to ensure consistent verification across all participating entities.
Licenses Portal: The dedicated portal provides authoritative license templates and trust references, creating transparency and alignment in how data use and permissions are defined. Now, modular use of licenses makes the data ecosystems more scalable. See more here.
Harmonised Governance: The Trust Framework links organisational and technical governance, enabling data spaces to federate under a shared trust baseline while maintaining autonomy.
Updated onboarding and conformity logic: The latest framework also clarifies onboarding and participant adherence, supporting a more structured and automatable trust process.
By building on these principles, the iSHARE Trust Framework 3.0 allows participants to engage securely and confidently. Every transaction, delegation, and license is backed by a consistent and verifiable foundation of trust. It also supports machine-readable trust information, helping interactions scale across data spaces.
This shared framework transforms isolated initiatives into a federated, trusted network of data spaces that is scalable, compliant, and ready for cross-data-space interoperability.
Trust Framework connects closely with other building blocks:
Identity & Attestation Management: Verifies identities and establishes trust using standard procedures.
Access & Usage Policies Enforcement: Controls data access and usage according to rules.
Data Exchange: Secures data sharing by checking participants and managing consent.
Organisational Form & Governance Authority: Creates and enforces governance rules, approving trusted entities.
The guiding questions can help in the co-creation process and in defining this building block, so please see the next section.
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