Challenges of Implementing Interoperability Frameworks and Secure Data Exchange

The concept of interoperability is significantly used in business processes and information systems by which competent authorities, businesses, and citizens participate in the secure exchange of data. It is not easy to achieve secure data exchange, identify authentic data sources, coordinate all stakeholders, and prescribe rules and standards. No cookbook will consecutively describe the procedures and list the ingredients for success. For the continuous development of the subject, whether economic or governmental, continuous improvement is one of the mandatory elements of quality management. Today, it is no longer enough to ensure the safe and unhindered flow of goods, capital, and people as prerequisites for successful development. It is necessary to include the data in a secure and smooth exchange. Regulations, standards, and technological tools ensure the security of data exchange. Nevertheless, to prevent obstruction, there is a key element, a professional who manages data protection taking into account GDPR. In Croatia, the Central State Office for the Development of the Digital Society is a governmental body, responsible for the secure exchange of data and the establishment of a Central Interoperability System for the public sector. This paper, based on practical experience, presents the pitfalls, challenges, practical use cases, and conclusions of the practical implementation of interoperability in Croatia.