GATE Institute is proud to announce a major achievement in its ongoing efforts to advance the adoption of data spaces for secure and trustworthy data sharing at the national and EU levels. The GATE Dataspace Connector has become the first to achieve Assurance Level 1 certification from the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), marking a significant milestone in the institute’s commitment to grow a vibrant data ecosystem built on trust and internationally adopted standards.
An IDS connector is a key component within the International Data Spaces (IDS) reference architecture, which is designed to enable trustworthy, sovereign and standardized data sharing between organizations. The IDS connector facilitates this data exchange while ensuring that all involved parties adhere to the rules and policies governing the use of the data. The IDS connector certification sets stringent requirements, which assure that the connector is robust, secure, and fully compliant with the IDS standards. This certification is a mark of trust and quality, making it an essential component for any organization looking to engage in secure data sharing within the IDS ecosystem.
This certification distinguishes the GATE Dataspace Connector as one of the few globally to meet IDSA’s rigorous data security and governance standards. GATE’s Level 1 certification represents a foundational step the institute intends to build upon, ensuring that the Bulgarian and broader Eastern European data landscape remains at the forefront of global innovation.
“Our goal at GATE is to build an ecosystem that leverages advanced Big Data and AI technologies to drive research, foster innovation, enhance public administration efficiency, boost industry competitiveness, and improve the quality of life for citizens,“ said Sylvia Ilieva, Director of GATE Institute, who was also awarded the title IDSA ambassador in 2024
The GATE Dataspace Connector is more than just a technical achievement; it is a key milestone in the institute’s broader strategy to promote the adoption of data spaces throughout the region. As an IDSA hub, GATE is committed to driving the implementation of data spaces by addressing both the business and technological aspects, fostering trust, and encouraging collaboration. In 2022, GATE initiated the first Urban Data Space in Bulgaria and implemented several pilot projects within its Urban Data Space, including air quality prediction and the planning of social infrastructure. Since then is involved in European projects and initiatives for creating European mobility data space (deployEMDS project) and Regional smart health data space (VELES project).
“We see data spaces as key drivers of the future data economy,“ explained Iva Krasteva, a leading researcher at GATE. “ IDS Certification for our connector proves its technological maturity and compliance with industry standards. It also provides a testing environment for experimentation and innovative use cases.“
The certification brings tangible benefits to the GATE Dataspace Connector by enhancing security and interoperability within the data ecosystem. By offering an IDS-certified connector, GATE aims to attract participants to the Bulgarian Urban Data Space, as well as to be recognized as a valuable partner for future data space initiatives and implementations.