Enables different system components to share information about learners. Provides a key for performance- and decision-support systems.

• IMS Learner Information Package (LIP) specification.
• Personal and Private Information (PAPI) drafted by IEEE and now being examined by ISO/IEC

Provides trusted mechanisms that protect data and networks from un-authorized access.

• Security issues are complex and continually requiring resolve — the primary groups working in the technology infrastructure domain are the IETF and W3C. Specific topics include network security, user authentication, computer system security, and cryptography.
• The IETF and W3C are jointly developing standards for digital signatures.
• The Open Knowledge Initiative (OKI) has developed authorization and authentication systems for access to data, e.g., NT Domains, LDAP Servers, Kerberos, etc.

Focuses primarily on interoperability of administrative systems.

• SIF is “creating a technology standard that will revolutionize the business of (k-12) education” through specifying protocols that enable, e.g., student information systems to interoperate with human resources, financial management, and voice telephony systems both within and between schools.
  
• IMS has developed specifications for enterprise systems and is in process of developing these further. Also related to the issue of integration are the IMS specifications on Digital repositories Interoperability.
• OKI is developing a suite of APIs that define and implement access between learning technology and common services.

Supports processes critical to knowledge management and
e-business.

• WfMC has been promoting and developing workflow standards for about a decade.
• OASIS is developing a suite of protocols and languages associated with ebXML aimed at specifying the public interfaces required for e-business.
• The Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI) is complementing the work of OASIS through development of standard private interfaces.
• The GKEC has established a standard process and scoped out areas of activity associated with knowledge economics standardization.