On October 30, 2024, the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) officially authorized the Next Generation Internet Engineering Center as the testing and certification laboratory. This makes the Center the first and sole International Data Spaces (IDS) certification and evaluation body in China. It will now offer IDS data space testing and certification services to the industry to boost the interoperability and security of international data spaces.

Figure: Reinhold Achatz, Chairman of the IDSA, awards Liu Dong, Director of the Next Generation Internet Engineering Center, the plaque for the IDS Testing and Certification Laboratory

Reinhold Achatz, Chairman of the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), stated that IDS data space certification is of great importance to the global digitalization process. He noted that with the exponential growth of global data, data security, circulation, and sharing have become common challenges faced by countries around the world. The construction of international data spaces is a key way to address these challenges, and IDS certification serves as an important "check valve" to ensure the high-quality development of international data spaces. It enables interoperability and clear guidelines for entities involved in international data exchange.

Liu Dong, Director of the Next Generation Internet Engineering Center, said that the testing laboratory of the Engineering Center will actively collaborate closely with the International Data Spaces Association and related international standard organizations. It will deeply participate in the formulation and improvement of certification and evaluation standards for international data spaces to ensure the scientific and practical applicability of the standards. At the same time, he called on the industry to actively participate in the construction of the international data space and to jointly promote the prosperity of the global data industry.

Figure: IDS Data Space Certification Categories

At the award ceremony, Zhang Hao, Senior Manager of the testing laboratory of the Next Generation Internet Engineering Center, detailed the IDS certification program. The IDS certification program covers comprehensive evaluation from key data space components to operational environments, ensuring the security, trustworthiness, and interoperability of data spaces. It includes Component Certification, which evaluates functionality, security, interoperability, and other aspects, as well as Operational Environment Certification, which assesses the overall environment from physical infrastructure, organization, processes, and other perspectives. He said that the laboratory also provides testing and evaluation services for industry-specific data spaces, corporate data spaces, local data groups, and data exchanges. Throughout the evaluation process, it will maintain close communication and collaboration with the International Data Spaces Association to fully absorb opinions from all parties and ensure that each evaluation accurately meets the actual needs of the industry.