National Information Infrastructure and Open Data

1. National Information Infrastructure and Open Data APPSI 20 April 2012

2. What is the NII? • A broad approach to maximising the value of information to the nation and to society • A representation of a Government Information Strategy • An information parallel to the National (physical) Infrastructure • A structured approach to releasing the greatest benefit from our information • A manageable initiative to create, make readily available and publicise an entity and framework to promote availability and best practice in fostering openness and the information ecosystem

3. What topics are covered in the NII? • Data, policies about its availability, standards, applications of the data, producers and users, tools, organisations involved, etc. • Potentially, all relevant data matters are in scope • Realistically, focussed on information and processes that government can most readily influence – and are high priorities

4. What information is in the NII? • Potentially a wide range of data but focussed first on PSI • Not just central government data - devolved governments, LAs, health, etc, private sector involved in public (and infrastructure, communications) services plus independent and voluntary sectors where they too provide publicly funded or (tax-) subsidised services • PSI is a wide definition and is sometimes blended with data from non-public sources

5. Private data in the NII • Can be personal or commercial confidential • Public confidence must be assured • Anonymity must be assured • There are proven good ways to release anonymised sensitive data • There are good precedents and current action e.g. Census SARs, OIC initiative, Scottish government consultation on data linkage http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/03/3260 An important element of PSI - needs special attention

6. Who are the data providers for NII? • Central government departments • Devolved administrations • Key public facing sectors such as local government, health and social services • Near-government (e.g. transport, privatised utilities, those who government pays) • Non-government sources where there is a public sector interest

7. What are the NII applications? • A vast array – known and unknown • There is a need to better understand usage and applications for input to prioritisation and investment • The pace of change in electronic methods will greatly increase the scope and value of data The NII is a living entity

8. Is the NII the same as Open Data? • The NII is a broader concept that embraces Open Data • Government plans for OD are a relevant and important component of the NII

9. Which public bodies have an NII role? • Cabinet Office, BIS, other Departments, devolved administrations, ICO, UKSA, NA/APPSI, DSB/ODI/PDG, LGA, NHS and many others • There is a need to rationalise roles and responsibilities for the NII • Lead responsibility might be vested in an existing entity, at least initially The NII should be UK-wide with logical devolved variants

10. Why is the NII so important? • The information economy is already worth £billions and growing rapidly • The UK should be best placed to make the most of this • There is considerable waste from duplication and data misuse • Better data availability in the widest sense will lead to better applications – quality, relevance, openness, value

11. Key NII issues • Establishing a centre of excellence • Seeking/demonstrating benefits from information • Stimulation of growth and openness • Regulation and inducements • Priorities • Research and skills development • Guidance to producers and users • Efficiency • Quality – promotion and review • Standards, protocols, terminology and metadata • Data intermediaries • Charging & licensing

12. APPSI recommendations (1) • Government should provide a clear and explicit strategic vision on its role in information collection, dissemination and exploitation • Policy should facilitate better public/private sector cooperation and innovation • White Paper should build in the NII concept • Open Data should be recognised as a component and key stepping stone to NII • The wider NII framework should be recognised as key to success

13. APPSI recommendations (2) • The DSB should be considered as the initial leader of a NII • Personal data needs special attention • Enhancing human capital is central to delivering Open Data/NII success • NII is a living thing so must anticipate new data needs, enforce standards, evaluate old data series for continuing value • Further discussion and investigation of the NII is now required – and APPSI is happy to be involved

14. Next steps?