ContinuityID Definitions
Version: Definitions v1.0
Published: 2026‑04‑19
Status: Canonical reference
Change policy: Append‑only via published deltas
This section defines a core vocabulary for reasoning about identity, data, continuity, and governance in modern, AI‑integrated systems.
Each definition is narrow, non‑overlapping, and intended for consistent reuse across organisational, technical, and regulatory contexts.
Status
These definitions are not a mandated or regulatory standard. They are published as a shared reference to support clarity, consistency, and interoperability where systems, audits, or interpretations cross boundaries.
Core Terms
Data Sovereignty
Canonical definition
The condition in which a person or entity retains continuous, identity‑anchored authority over the creation, meaning, state, and permitted use of their data across all systems, platforms, jurisdictions, and time.
Usage notes
Use data sovereignty to describe authority and control, not data residency, vendor ownership, or jurisdictional location.
Observable failure condition
Loss of data sovereignty occurs when the rightful controlling entity can no longer determine, consent to, prevent, or revoke how their data is accessed, interpreted, transferred, or used.
Cross‑references
Data governance · Data continuity · Data provenance
Data Governance
Canonical definition
The system of defined authority, rules, roles, controls, and practices by which data is managed to ensure its integrity, accountability, continuity, and lawful use throughout its lifecycle.
Usage notes
Use data governance to describe decision mechanisms and enforcement, not ownership or sovereignty.
Observable failure condition
Loss of data governance occurs when data is processed or acted upon without clear ownership, enforceable rules, or a traceable decision chain.
Cross‑references
Data sovereignty · Data continuity · Data provenance · Accountability
Data Continuity
Canonical definition
The condition in which data retains its identity, meaning, provenance, and usable state across time, system changes, transformations, migrations, and contexts without loss or reinterpretation.
Usage notes
Use data continuity to describe whether data can still be interpreted correctly after disruption or transition.
Observable failure condition
Loss of data continuity occurs when data exists but no longer makes sense without guesswork or tacit human knowledge.
Cross‑references
Data governance · Data provenance · System migration
Data Provenance
Canonical definition
The recorded history of a data asset's origin, authorship, transformations, and custody that enables its authenticity, lineage, and integrity to be reconstructed and verified.
Usage notes
Use data provenance to describe evidentiary history, not ownership or policy.
Observable failure condition
Loss of data provenance occurs when the origin, authorship, or transformation history of data cannot be reliably reconstructed or verified.
Cross‑references
Data continuity · Auditability · Evidentiary integrity
Failure Terms
Loss of Data Sovereignty
Canonical definition
The condition that occurs when the rightful controlling entity can no longer determine, consent to, prevent, or revoke how their data is accessed, interpreted, transferred, or used.
Cross‑references
Data sovereignty · Data governance
Loss of Data Governance
Canonical definition
The condition that occurs when data is processed or acted upon without clear ownership, enforceable rules, or a traceable decision chain.
Cross‑references
Data governance · Data sovereignty
Loss of Data Continuity
Canonical definition
The condition that occurs when data exists but no longer makes sense without guesswork or tacit human knowledge.
Cross‑references
Data continuity · Data governance
Loss of Data Provenance
Canonical definition
The condition that occurs when the origin, authorship, or transformation history of data cannot be reliably reconstructed or verified.
Cross‑references
Data provenance · Auditability
How to Cite
These definitions are stable and citable. Use the following format:
Data Sovereignty
ContinuityID Definitions (2026). Data Sovereignty. Available at: https://www.continuityid.com/definitions#data-sovereignty [Accessed: {date}]
Data Governance
ContinuityID Definitions (2026). Data Governance. Available at: https://www.continuityid.com/definitions#data-governance [Accessed: {date}]
Data Continuity
ContinuityID Definitions (2026). Data Continuity. Available at: https://www.continuityid.com/definitions#data-continuity [Accessed: {date}]
Data Provenance
ContinuityID Definitions (2026). Data Provenance. Available at: https://www.continuityid.com/definitions#data-provenance [Accessed: {date}]
For legal or regulatory contexts: Reference the full URI with version and access date. Definitions v1.0 are stable and will not be modified. Updates will be published as new versions with distinct URIs.