Shared authoritative data sources are the keystones in Denmark’s efficient and joined-up public sector. It is on the basis of these that tax collection, benefit payments and straightforward access to healthcare, is possible.
Because data is invisible, the importance of authoritative data and a secure distribution networks may be overlooked during the implementation of major societal transformations. Yet data is a crucial prerequisite.
Just as roads and energy networks physically connect society, shared data sources do the same by digitally connecting public authorities’ individual public services.
A data infrastructure creates substantial opportunities for greater efficiency and better public services, but also places greater demands on security.
The Danish experience: shared data creates a joined-up public sector
Denmark has for decades invested in shared data, data standards and infrastructure. In 2012, data hit the spotlight with the launch of the “basic data programme”.
We decided to give the public sector’s most critical datasets particular attention by cleaning data, closing duplicate registers and building a robust distribution platform. It wasn’t sexy, it was nerdy, but years later, it was an exercise that was undoubtedly worthwhile.
The Population Register (which we’ve had since the late 1960s) provides us with a unique identifier for citizens, the Business Register contains information on businesses, while other registers hold information on addresses, properties and income and so forth.
Essential is that the information can be reused across different systems.
As a consequence, we can deduct tax automatically when wages are paid, and income data is used to automatically calculate public benefits, which citizens can apply for via self-service. Similarly, citizens can access their own health data, etc.
Authoritative data and a functioning distribution infrastructure enable a high degree of automation in administrative processes and the development of integrated services.
AI requires a robust infrastructure
AI has many potentials for the public sector and many promising pilots have been tried, but the quality of an AI solution rely on data quality and availability – amongst other things.
One thing is to develop AI for a specific task. It’s quite another accomplishment to scale across departments.
If information is incorrect, outdated or isolated in local systems it challenges reliable scalability.
We firmly believe a shared and secure infrastructure is the starting point for reliable AI.
Shared data and vulnerabilities
Like any other IT system, our central registers are, of course, also vulnerable to pressure. If data is leaked, it can affect many citizens. This requires us to protect our infrastructure.
Access control, where only authorised staff and systems are granted access to the necessary information, is crucial. However, systematic logging and monitoring of who accesses which data, etc., is another security element.
Unusual data extracts and access patterns must be detectable, and measures must be put in place to protect our citizens’ data.
Breaches will always occur, but in a robust system these can be a starting point for improving the system, rather than a cause for freezing all future efforts to develop.
Data is a strategic investment
Public sector digitalisation can never be solely about individual IT systems. A joint infrastructure is the foundation.
Data is a strategic prerequisite for reforming services and scaling up AI. Resilience must be an integral part of the infrastructure.
You are welcome to visit all three of us at the Danish stand at Digital Scotland 24 November.
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