ISO IEC 23681-2019 PDF
Name in English:
St ISO IEC 23681-2019
Name in Russian:
Ст ISO IEC 23681-2019
Original standard ISO IEC 23681-2019 in PDF full version. Additional info + preview on request
Full title and description
ISO/IEC 23681:2019 — Information technology — Self‑contained Information Retention Format (SIRF) Specification. This international standard defines the SIRF Level 1 specification and its serializations to common storage interfaces to support self‑contained digital content retention and preservation workflows.
Abstract
Specifies the Self‑contained Information Retention Format (SIRF) Level 1 and the serialization formats for LTFS, CDMI and OpenStack Swift. The standard proposes an approach to digital content preservation that leverages archival processes and packaging practices so that archivists and repositories can store, exchange and retain self‑contained preservation packages across a variety of storage systems.
General information
- Status: Published — confirmed on review (remains current).
- Publication date: May 2019 (Edition 1, 2019‑05).
- Publisher: ISO/IEC (prepared under ISO/IEC JTC 1).
- ICS / categories: 35.240.30 (IT applications in information, documentation and publishing).
- Edition / version: Edition 1 (2019).
- Number of pages: 37 (official ISO PDF length).
Scope
Defines the structure, required metadata and serialization rules for SIRF Level 1 packages intended to be self‑contained for retention and preservation. The scope covers mapping SIRF to target serializations (LTFS, CDMI, OpenStack Swift), integrity and packaging conventions, and minimal metadata to support long‑term retention and archival discovery while remaining compatible with common storage APIs.
Key topics and requirements
- Definition of SIRF Level 1 package structure and required elements.
- Serialization rules and examples for LTFS, CDMI and OpenStack Swift.
- Packaging of content plus preservation metadata to create self‑contained retention objects.
- Integrity protection (checksums, manifests) and versioning guidance.
- Compatibility recommendations for archival workflows and repository ingestion.
- Minimum interoperability requirements to enable exchange across storage systems.
Typical use and users
Used by digital preservation specialists, archivists, libraries, records managers, repository developers and storage vendors who need a standardized, self‑contained packaging model for long‑term retention. Typical uses include creating interoperable preservation packages for transfer, storage on tape/file/object stores, and automated retention workflows in institutional repositories and commercial storage services.
Related standards
Interacts with and complements storage and preservation standards and specifications such as LTFS (Linear Tape File System), CDMI (Cloud Data Management Interface), OpenStack Swift object store interfaces, the OAIS reference model (ISO 14721), and common preservation metadata frameworks (e.g., PREMIS). Implementers often use SIRF together with storage‑specific protocols and repository metadata standards to build end‑to‑end retention solutions.
Keywords
SIRF; self‑contained information retention format; digital preservation; retention packaging; LTFS; CDMI; OpenStack Swift; archival metadata; interoperability; ISO/IEC 23681.
FAQ
Q: What is this standard?
A: ISO/IEC 23681:2019 is the international specification for the Self‑contained Information Retention Format (SIRF) Level 1, defining how to package content and metadata into self‑contained objects for long‑term retention and preservation.
Q: What does it cover?
A: It covers the SIRF Level 1 package model, required metadata and integrity mechanisms, and provides serialization mappings for LTFS, CDMI and OpenStack Swift to enable storage‑agnostic retention of self‑contained preservation objects.
Q: Who typically uses it?
A: Archivists, digital preservation professionals, repository developers, records managers and storage vendors implementing interoperable retention and preservation workflows.
Q: Is it current or superseded?
A: The standard was published in May 2019 (Edition 1) and, according to the ISO record, was reviewed and confirmed in 2025 — it remains current in that form.
Q: Is it part of a series?
A: ISO/IEC 23681 is a standalone specification (base number 23681) focused on SIRF Level 1; it is related to but not formally a numerical series with other ISO/IEC preservation standards and is intended to be used alongside storage and archival standards such as OAIS (ISO 14721) and relevant storage interface specifications.
Q: What are the key keywords?
A: SIRF, self‑contained, retention, preservation, LTFS, CDMI, OpenStack Swift, archival metadata, interoperability, ISO/IEC 23681.