| abstract | NATO’s Data Centric Reference Architecture (DCRA) addresses the Alliance’s need to shift from a complex, fragmented data landscape reliant on application-centric exchange to a unified data-centric approach that enables real-time, data-driven decision-making. Guided by the Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy and the Data Exploitation Framework Strategic Plan, the DCRA offers a blueprint for achieving interoperability-by-design across multiple levels, from the Digital Backbone Reference Architecture (DCRA) and other keystone architectures to federations of Data Meshes and Data Spaces. This federated model supports national sovereignty by allowing decentralized governance of data assets while adhering to common NATO frameworks and standards, thereby streamlining data management, security, and quality. Standardized APIs, Model Driven Architecture (MDA), and the broader Digital Interoperability Framework for the Alliance (DIFA) further reinforce seamless data sharing within NATO and with external entities. By focusing on Data-as-a-Product principles, the DCRA facilitates scalable integration of new or existing data domains—ultimately reducing silos, enhancing agility, and supporting faster mission execution. The DCRA provides an abstract architecture template for Alliance-wide data management and exploitation, offering practical guidance on security, governance, and standardization to enable NATO’s transformation into a fully data centric organization. |
| creator | NATO Digital Staff - Digital Standardization and Interoperability Branch |
| dateAccepted | |
| dateCreated | 2025-04-04T09:00+01:00 |
| dateIssued | 15 April 2025 |
| defaultConfidentialityMarking | Public |
| description | This model describes a federated data centric architecture, composed of different conceptual elements that are used to allow data integration, management and exploitation, derived from the direction outlined in the Digital Transformation Implementation Strategy |
| identifier | AC/322-WP(2024)0087-REV6-GRA |
| publisher | Digital Policy Committee (DPC) |
| status | candidate |
| title | Data Centric Reference Architecture for the Alliance |
| version | 2.0 (DRAFT) |
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