Datasiljen

Datasiljen is a theoretical framework for interoperable data exchange across autonomous data silos. It envisions data contracts and standardized metadata that allow data consumers to access data under policy-defined terms without requiring centralization or replication. The concept is frequently described in thought experiments and speculative analyses as a model for bridging organizational data silos while preserving control, privacy, and governance.

The name Datasiljen is a constructed term combining data and silos, used to evoke the idea of weaving connections between otherwise separate data stores. In these discussions, the framework is presented as an abstraction rather than an existing standard.

Core principles of Datasiljen include decoupled data contracts that specify data schemas, access rights, and usage obligations; metadata-driven exchange to enable automated discovery and validation; policy-based access controls and revocation; provenance, audit trails, and reversible data sharing; and security by design with tamper-evident logs and optional cryptographic proofs.

Architecturally, Datasiljen envisions components such as a contracts registry, an exchange broker or matchmaking service, a governance layer for consent and compliance, and an identity and access management system. Data transfers are mediated by contractual agreements supported by verifiable provenance and minimized data duplication.

Applications of the concept appear in enterprise data sharing, cross-organization analytics, research collaborations, and regulated domains such as healthcare and finance where governance and consent are paramount. It is generally treated as a guiding ideal within data governance discourse and is contrasted with centralized data lakes and rigid data silos.

See also: Data mesh, data fabric, data governance, data lineage, contract-based data sharing.