data asset
A dataset or collection managed as a unit.
How the laws define this
These frameworks agree that a data asset is a managed dataset or aggregated collection of information maintained as a single unit under regulatory governance, lifecycle management, and specific compliance rules to enable controlled access or sharing. The primary divergence lies in whether the concept functions as an internal operational compliance mechanism or as a commercial resource for data markets. Order of the Minister No. 385/NQ focuses on internal organizational control, defining data assets as structured and unstructured records subject to inventory, classification, retention, and access rules. In contrast, the Digital Strategy of South Korea and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030 center on external economic utility, positioning datasets for valuation, transactions, secondary use, and data marketplaces. Additionally, while the Digital Strategy of South Korea covers both private and government datasets, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030 strictly targets information held or stewarded by public bodies under a dedicated National Data Assets Agency.
Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 2 of the 3 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Digital Strategy | Adopted | Focuses on economic valuation, certification, registration, and market exchange of datasets, unlike others that emphasize management or governance. |
| Kazakhstan | Order of the Minister No. 385/NQ - On Approval of Requirements for Data Management | Repealed | Explicitly includes unstructured data and focuses on governance, classification, retention, and access rules. |
Definitions (3)
A dataset or collection of data treated and managed as a single unit for purposes of inventory, governance and lifecycle management; it encompasses structured and unstructured records under an entity's control that are subject to classification, retention and access rules.
Structured government and private datasets that are treated as economic assets for valuation, certification, registration, and exchange; the strategy frames these datasets as 'data assets' subject to data valuation/certification and transaction mechanisms to enable data markets and sharing.
Datasets and aggregated information held or stewarded by public bodies (or aggregated from public data) intended to enable safe secondary use, data marketplaces and interoperable services; governance of these assets is managed by the National Data Assets Agency to enable sharing while ensuring privacy and legal compliance.
Not to be confused with
Data steward refers to the person managing data quality and metadata, while 'data asset' refers to the datasets themselves.
Data owner is the accountable official for data value and classification, whereas 'data asset' is the dataset being managed.
Questions and answers
What makes South Korea's data asset definition unique?
It treats datasets as economic assets for valuation, certification, registration, and exchange to enable data markets.
What did Kazakhstan's repealed order require for data assets?
It required treating datasets as managed units for inventory, governance, classification, retention, and access controls.
How do data assets relate to data stewards or owners?
Data assets are the datasets, while stewards manage quality and metadata, and owners are accountable for value and classification.
Related Terms
Data assets
Publicly-held or aggregated data resources for secondary use....
metadata
Descriptive information supporting findability and governance....
data steward
Operational manager for data quality and metadata....
data owner
Official accountable for data value and classification....
Library of data
Structured dataset repository used for training models....