At the recent plenary meeting of the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 20 in Geneva, Switzerland, a proposed new Supplement Recommendation known as Security Framework for Data Middle-platform in IoT and Smart Sustainable Cities, won unanimous approval to initiate after thorough evaluation by global experts.

As digital and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies advance rapidly, data has become a key driver of global economic growth, and the development of data middle-platforms worldwide has raised serious security concerns.

Led by State Grid Henan Information & Telecommunication Company, the new Supplement Recommendation addresses security challenges across the full data life-cycle in multi-source, heterogeneous environments.

It outlines a security framework covering data collection, storage, processing, service and open interfaces — adapted to real-world application scenarios. By strengthening data security governance, the framework aims to foster a collaborative, efficient, and transparent modern governance ecosystem. It offers a "China-led approach" to secure, operational data middle-platforms at both industrial and municipal levels, supporting the growth of IoT ecosystems and smart-city initiatives globally.