Raidiam is at the forefront of data sharing technologies that are changing the world. We continually seek ways to enhance capabilities and advance progress by building on our extensive experience of designing and implementing large-scale Open Data ecosystems. One recent example has been the work of Raidiam Senior Engineer, Michael Fraser, and Head of Standards and Product Strategy, Lukasz Jaromin, to propose and largely author a draft specification that extends the OpenID Federation 1.0 standard to make it more suitable and valuable for large ecosystems.
We are delighted that the specification has been adopted by the OpenID Foundation’s AB/Connect Working Group, marking the beginning of its journey to becoming an official standard. It is now entering the crucial phase of gaining industry adoption and refinement through real-world implementation.
How does the draft OpenID Federation 1.0 specification work?
The draft OpenID Federation 1.0 specification has been created in response to the growing number of data sharing ecosystems where user-permissioned data is shared via APIs. The original version of the standard served a purpose in the implementation and secure function of ecosystems but wasn’t suited for those with large and growing numbers of participants. This new specification further supports and standardises the establishment of trust between participants, eliminating the need for bilateral agreements by introducing a trust anchor (or trust register) as the entity that participants can confidently rely upon.
Supporting multi-lateral federations across ecosystems
Our development of this specification is not just about improving individual ecosystems; it’s also to facilitate interoperability across multiple networks. OpenID Federation 1.0 lays the groundwork for a future where independent ecosystems with different supervisory, licensing, or accreditation frameworks can interoperate seamlessly. For instance, a financial services regulator could oversee a network within its domain while an energy sector regulator does the same within theirs. These distinct ecosystems can then connect, forming a network of networks that operates nationally or even internationally.
Raidiam Connect: Pioneering trust infrastructure
Raidiam recognised the importance of this broader vision early on and were one of the first to introduce OpenID Federation support in the Raidiam Connect Trust Platform. Raidiam Connect is a core component of the trust infrastructure in some of the world’s most prominent and largest Open Banking and Open Finance ecosystems, typically functioning as a participants’ Directory and Trust Register. By enabling multi-lateral federations, we aim to create a more interconnected Open Data landscape where diverse ecosystems can work together, fostering innovation and collaboration on a larger scale. We have also been one of the first to undertake a commercial implementation of the OpenID Federation 1.0 Trust Anchor.
Building the future of Open Data ecosystems
At Raidiam, we continue to contribute to the development of open standards and apply them to our products. By supporting multi-lateral federations between different ecosystems, we are laying the groundwork for a more interconnected world where data can be shared securely and efficiently across domains and borders.
Interested in learning how we can deliver an Open Data ecosystem for your organisation? Get in touch today!
