1. Legacy and future of the World Data System (WDS) certification of data services and networks
Dr Mustapha Mokrane, Executive Director, WDS International Programme Office

2. WDS Mandate
Enable universal and equitable (full and open) access to quality-assured scientific data, data services, products and information
Ensure long-term data stewardship
Foster compliance to agreed-upon data standards and conventions
Provide mechanisms to facilitate and improve access to data and data products
The World Data System is striving to build worldwide ‘communities of excellence’ for scientific data services. It was established by the International Council for Science (ICSU) in October 2008, building on more than 50 years experience of its predecessor bodies World Data Centres and Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical data analysis Services established by ICSU to manage data generated from the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958).
7/12/2015
Open Science Data Workshop, Kyoto 2015

3. Why Certification for WDS?
Builds confidence in the usability and persistence of data and infrastructure: Trustworthiness
Ensures transparency and verifiability of research data: Integrity of Science
Helps data stewardship organizations improve capacities and demonstrate value: Good Practice, Sustainability

4. Standards for trust
Formal
Extended
Core
The WDS certification was defined by incorporating best practices from existing standards developed by other organizations and projects (e.g., the Open Archival Information System Reference Model5, Online Computer Library Center, Inc.6, network of expertise in long-term storage of digital resources in Germany7, World Meteorological Organization Information System8, Center for Research Libraries9, and Data Seal of Approval10 [DSA]), whilst striking a balance between simplicity and robustness

5. WDS Membership 64 Regular 10 Networks 9 Applications under review
Organizations that are data stewards and/or data analysis services
10 Networks
Umbrella bodies representing groups of data stewardship organizations and/or data analysis services (ESDIS, IODE, IVOA...)
9 Applications under review
7/12/2015
Open Science Data Workshop, Kyoto 2015

6. WDS Certification Certification and periodic review of data services
Evaluation criteria based on international standards and best practices
Review board and certification authority
Candidates for WDS membership demonstrate their compliance against the relevant catalogue of criteria, supplying evidence by means of an online application form and following guidance provided for each criterion. In some cases, the questions can simply be answered positively or negatively, whereas in others, answers require non-standardized information from applicants that indicates the degree of their compliance and maturity. Applications are assessed by two reviewers appointed from—or by—the WDS-SC, which functions as a certification authority. Successful applicants are accredited as a WDS Regular or Network Member and are reviewed again within three-to-five years.
7/12/2015
Open Science Data Workshop, Kyoto 2015

7. WDS Evaluation Criteria
Letter of Agreement with ICSU
External experts to provide advice and guidance
WDS bi-annual meetings
Active communication with research community/users
Full, open, timely, unrestricted access to metadata, data…
General requirements & Policies
Organizational framework
Defined scope, responsibility for long-term preservation, target user community and needs, rights of users to access data, processes to respond to change
Adequate in terms of funding, staff, long-term planning
Scientific expertise: local oversight of international repute
Continuity plan
Committed to formal periodic review and assessment
Management of data, products and services
Ensures integrity and authenticity during ingest, archival storage, data quality assessment and analysis, product generation and access and delivery
Defined criteria for collection, selection and evaluation
Defined specifications for archival storage
Efficient usage: defined criteria, preferably open standards (searchable, accessible, and usable objects and services)
The certification process is based on two catalogues of evaluation criteria11: one for Regular Members and another for Network Members. The catalogue of criteria for WDS Regular Members has 17 criteria grouped under 4 headings.
Network Members—which are umbrella bodies—vary greatly in their structure and responsibilities (e.g., central bureau, coordinating committee, secretariat, programme office, etc.), as well as in how they take responsibility for the competence and on-going performance of individual network components. As a result, the catalogue of criteria for Network Members has less emphasis on management of data, products, and services and on technical infrastructure. Instead, it contains an additional section covering the network’s organization and aims, and how it takes on responsibility for the quality of its components.
Technical infrastructure
Well-supported OS and software
Hardware and software technologies appropriate to the services it provides to its designated community(ies)
Security: facility, its users, data, products and services

8. Certification visibility?

9. Future of WDS Certification
Adoption of the DSA–WDS Common Certification for WDS Regular Members
Continue to accredit WDS Network Members (networks of data services) using the existing catalogue

10. Thank you for listening. IPO@icsu-wds. org mustapha. mokrane@icsu-wds
Thank you for listening!
Thanks for listening.
For more information on the ICSU World Data System, please contact the International Programme Office…