DoDta

DoDta is a conceptual framework for data governance and interoperability across defense, security, research, and industry sectors. It envisions standardized data formats, metadata, access controls, and privacy protections to enable cross-organization data sharing while safeguarding sensitive information.

The term appears in policy papers and academic debates since the 2010s as part of discussions on national and international data governance. It is not a formal treaty or widely adopted standard, and there is no single governing body universally identified as DoDta. Instead, various proposals use similar terminology to describe how data from different domains might be harmonized and governed.

Core goals of DoDta include interoperability, data provenance, security, privacy by design, and auditable data lineage. Proponents advocate for open standards and a modular architecture that allows incremental adoption by participating entities and easy integration with existing systems.

In proposed models, a DoDta council or steering body would oversee standards development, certification, and compliance. Participating governments, agencies, and private sector partners would contribute funding and expertise, while a designated secretariat would maintain specifications, reference implementations, and best practices for interoperability and risk management.

Technologies associated with DoDta emphasize common data models, metadata schemas, API-based data exchange, and strong identity and access management. Emphasis is often placed on encryption, zero-trust architectures, data minimization, and robust auditing to balance openness with security concerns.

Critics raise concerns about overreach, implementation complexity, legal compatibility, data sovereignty, and potential surveillance risks. Proponents contend that, with clear safeguards and accountable governance, DoDta-like frameworks could enhance resilience, innovation, and strategic cooperation.