Data exchange layer X-tee

X-tee, the data exchange layer for information systems, is a technological and organizational environment enabling a secure Internet-based data exchange between information systems.

To exchange data, a member of X-tee describes the shared data and other members can use that data based on an agreement. Due to the large number of systems that have joined X-tee, all members of X-tee can use the services and data of other members to improve their own business processes.

X-tee has a versatile security solution: authentication, multi-level authorisation, high-level system for processing logs, and data traffic that is encrypted and signed.

X-tee is a data exchange layer used in Estonia. Until 2018, it was named X-Road in English.

Since 2018, however, X-Road is only used to refer to the technology developed together by Estonia, Finland and Iceland through MTÜ Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions. The Estonian X-tee is now also called X-tee in English.

X-tee and X-Road are registered trademarks:

Operating principles of X-tee

  • Independence of platform and architecture – X-tee enables the information systems of X-tee members on any software platform to communicate with the information systems of data service providers on any software platform.
  • Multilateralism – X-tee members are able to request access to any data services provided through X-tee.
  • Availability and standardisation – for managing and developing X-Road, international standards and protocols are used where possible.
  • Security – exchanging data through X-tee does not affect the integrity, availability or confidentiality of the data.

How does X-tee work?

X-tee is based on an interoperable ecosystem and a technical ability to exchange data. To exchange data, one member of X-tee describes the shared data and other members are able to use this data based on an agreement.

Due to the large number of systems that have joined X-tee, all members of X-tee can use the services and data of other members to improve their own business processes. For example, drivers do not need to carry a physical driver’s licence with them, as a police officer can make an operative inquiry from the database of the Transport Administration of the Republic of Estonia via X-tee using an identity document to control driving licences.

To implement already created services, you must:

  • become a member of X-
  • tee,
  • install an X-Road security server,make an agreement with a suitable X-tee service provider,
  • work out a logic to create the internal data for the service you chose, and process the reply.

X-tee has been developed for 20 years now, and a large amount of code is available, which significantly simplifies the creation of new solutions. In the X-Road context, the reusable code is called a reusable component.

X-tee toimimise lihtsustatud mudel

If there is no suitable X-tee service yet, it can be created in cooperation between the parties. Very specific and sensitive data can also be exchanged. We follow the principle that the owner controls the data throughout the whole process, and the X-Road technology only offers a secure data exchange.

X-tee enables exchanging many types of information: simpler cases involve texts, but you can also exchange files.

Statistics about the X-tee

Joining X-tee

Companies and agencies in the private and public sector can join X-tee.

Instructions for joining X-tee can be found in X-tee joining guide. Information about the components related to the X-tee is compiled in Github and support materials can be found on the X-tee Help Center.

X-tee community

Goals

  • sharing experiences and best practices of the implementation of X-tee and (online) services
  • harmonising the knowledge levels of the members of X-tee
  • representing the members of X-tee in relations with the X-tee centre
  • sharing information and concerns with other communities.

Global X-Road Community

The global X-Road Community is hosted by the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS).

Every year, NIIS organises numerous events and community days.

The community uses, among other things, a Slack channel, which welcomes all developers, administrators, and other interested parties.

International cooperation

The X-Road software is widely spread in the world.

X-Road is developed by the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions. The members of NIIS are Estonia, Finland and Iceland and the Faroe islands are its partner.

The prime ministers of Estonia and Finland made a memorandum in 2013, based on which, RIA has cooperated with the Population Register Centre of Finland (VRK) to develop the X-Road technology together.

As a result of the cooperation

  • the ministries of the two countries founded a development centre for X-Road (and in the future, for other interoperable solutions) or Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS). Starting from 2018, NIIS is the main developer and manager of the X-Road software. RIA is mostly focused on managing the Estonian X-tee ecosystem;
  • we made the source code of X-Road public, enabling a larger number of interested parties to use and develop X-Road;
  • we created an X-Road community, which unites the owners, developers, and managers of information systems;
  • Finland started ‘their own X-tee’ or Suomi.fi-palveluväylä (if you have any questions regarding the system, send them to [email protected]);
  • we started a cross-usage service (the trust federation), which is implemented in all environments (ee-dev and fi-dev, ee-test and fi-test, EE and FI). The cross-usage is based on a trust federation agreement between RIA and VRK. Additional information about creating cross-border services can be found on the X-tee Help Center.

Last updated: 31.01.2024