The UAE’s Smart Data Framework

The Smart Data Framework comprises three levels, i.e., Smart Data Principles, Smart Data Standards, and Smart Data Implementation Guide;

There are 10 key Smart Data Principles:

1. 1. Data as an asset
      Entities are expected to manage all their data as a collective national asset, acting as custodians of that data on behalf of the UAE to enable service-oriented government, support evidence-based decision-making, and promote transparency and citizen engagement.
   2. Sharing and re-use of data
      Entities are expected to closely cooperate and collaborate to maximize the sharing and re-use of data in the UAE to enhance the quality of government services.
   3. Duplication of data
      Entities are expected to cooperate and collaborate to avoid instances of duplication and inconsistencies within their data sources, adopting the concept of a “single source of truth.”
   4. Open Data publication
      Entities are expected to provide a greater degree of access to information for all users across the UAE while also publishing non-personal data openly wherever possible.
   5. Privacy, confidentiality, and Intellectual Property Rights
      Entities are expected to undertake all possible measures to protect the privacy of individuals, the confidentiality of organizations, and the legal rights of intellectual property holders at all times to secure the broad social benefits of data exchange while respecting the rights of individuals and organizations.
   6. Open standards
      Entities are expected to adopt open standards to make it easy for others to discover, interoperate with, and consume their data as a service, making government service automation easier.
   7. Data quality
      Entities are expected to improve their data quality over time to enable the efficient and effective delivery of customer-centric services, improve the accuracy of evidence-based decision-making, and develop user confidence in both.
   8. Data insights
      Entities are expected to maximize the insights derived from their and others’ data by facilitating the collection, analysis, and use of real-time or near-real-time data.
   9. Collaborative governance
      Entities are expected to participate in UAE-wide shared services and collaborative governance mechanisms for smart data to promote greater cross-organizational collaboration and efficiency.
   10. Continuous improvement
       Entities are expected to proactively adopt improvements and manage change over a sustained period of time, focused on creating an open, data-driven, and data-sharing culture.

The Smart Data Standards are grouped into three categories, i.e., Data Classification Standard, Data Exchange Standard, and Data Quality Standard;

Data Classification Standard (DC) sub-specifications are:

1. 1. Data Classification Criteria (DC1);
   2. Rules for Opening & Sharing Classified Data (DC2).

Data Exchange Standard (DE)sub-specifications are:

1. 1. Data Formats (DE1);
   2. Metadata (DE2);
   3. Data Schema (DE3);
   4. Open Data Licensing (DE4);
   5. Data Commercialisation & Fair Trading Policy (DE5);
   6. Data Protection & Privacy Policy (DE6);
   7. Shared Data Access Permissions (DE7).

Data Quality Standard (DQ) sub-specifications are:

1. 1. Data Quality Principles (DQ1);
   2. Data Quality Matrix (DQ2);
   3. Data Quality Improvement Plan (DQ3).

Each of these three standards contains a set of Smart Data Specifications, including Dataset Processing Specifications and Data Management Specifications.