ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025
(Main)Internet of Things (IoT) — IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage assets — Part 1: Framework
Internet of Things (IoT) — IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage assets — Part 1: Framework
This document describes a framework for the use of IoT technology for management of tangible cultural heritage assets, which includes the associated functional entities and information flows.
Titre manque — Partie 1: Titre manque
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
ISO/IEC TR 30189-1
Edition 1.0 2025-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Internet of Things (IoT) – IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage
assets –
Part 1: Framework
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either
IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about ISO/IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.
IEC Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.
IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews, graphical symbols and the glossary.
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced With a subscription you will always have access to up to date
and withdrawn publications. content tailored to your needs.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
details all new publications released. Available online and once
containing more than 22 500 terminological entries in English
a month by email.
and French, with equivalent terms in 25 additional languages.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
(IEV) online.
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
ISO/IEC TR 30189-1
Edition 1.0 2025-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Internet of Things (IoT) – IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage
assets –
Part 1: Framework
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 35.200 ISBN 978-2-8327-0271-0
– 2 – ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025 © ISO/IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 7
5 General . 7
5.1 Cultural heritage management . 7
5.2 Management of stand-alone cultural heritage assets . 8
5.3 Considerations for IoT-based management of cultural heritage assets . 9
5.3.1 General . 9
5.3.2 Device . 9
5.3.3 Platform . 10
5.3.4 Application or service . 11
6 Functional entities . 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Device . 13
6.3 Network . 13
6.4 Platform . 13
6.5 Application or service . 15
6.6 User . 16
7 Information flows . 16
7.1 General . 16
7.2 Status monitoring operation . 16
7.3 Location tracking operation . 18
Annex A (informative) Examples of IoT-based CHM services . 19
A.1 Status monitoring . 19
A.2 Movement detection and location tracking . 20
Bibliography . 21
Figure 1 – Examples of cultural heritage assets . 7
Figure 2 – Management for conservation of tangible cultural heritage assets . 8
Figure 3 – System model for IoT-based management of cultural heritage . 12
Figure 4 – Platform functions for IoT-based CHM . 14
Figure 5 – Information flows for status monitoring operation . 17
Figure 6 – Information flows for location tracking operation . 18
Figure A.1 – Status monitoring service . 19
Figure A.2 – Location tracking service . 20
Table 1 – Examples of IoT-based CHM services . 15
INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) –
IOT-BASED MANAGEMENT OF TANGIBLE
CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS –
Part 1: Framework
FOREWORD
1) ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission)
form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC
participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established by the
respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees
collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-governmental,
in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC and ISO on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested IEC and ISO National bodies.
3) IEC and ISO documents have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC and
ISO National bodies in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of
IEC and ISO documents is accurate, IEC and ISO cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used
or for any misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC and ISO National bodies undertake to apply IEC and ISO
documents transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any
divergence between any IEC and ISO document and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be
clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC and ISO do not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC and ISO marks of conformity. IEC and ISO are not
responsible for any services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this document.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC and ISO or their directors, employees, servants or agents including individual
experts and members of its technical committees and IEC and ISO National bodies for any personal injury,
property damage or other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including
legal fees) and expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this ISO/IEC document or any
other IEC and ISO documents.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this document. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this document.
9) IEC and ISO draw attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC and ISO take no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC and ISO had not received notice of
(a) patent(s), which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this
may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
https://patents.iec.ch and www.iso.org/patents. IEC and ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or
all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 30189-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 41: Internet of Things and Digital Twin,
of ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1: Information technology. It is a Technical Report.
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
JTC1-SC41/480/DTR JTC1-SC41/492A/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Report is English.
– 4 – ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025 © ISO/IEC 2025
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, and the ISO/IEC Directives, JTC 1 Supplement
available at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs and www.iso.org/directives.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC 30189 series, published under the general title Internet of
Things (IoT) – IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage assets, can be found on the
IEC and ISO websites.
INTRODUCTION
Cultural heritage assets can include museums, historical landmarks, artworks, and other
cultural artifacts. Effective management of cultural heritage is crucial for preserving these
important assets for future generations. The cultural heritage management can include efforts
to preserve and protect cultural heritage assets from damage, deterioration and theft.
The Internet of Things (IoT) technology can be used for management of tangible cultural
heritage assets. In particular, IoT-based sensing, monitoring and location tracking can be
performed for management of tangible cultural heritage.
In the status monitoring, IoT technology can be used to monitor the condition of cultural heritage
or assets, such as the temperature and humidity of a museum. This is important because certain
environmental conditions can cause damage to and deterioration of valuable cultural assets.
By monitoring these conditions in a real-time manner, it is possible to take corrective action to
prevent damage and ensure that the assets are being preserved in optimal conditions.
In the location tracking, IoT technology can be used to keep track of various cultural assets. By
applying appropriate IoT sensors to these assets, it is possible to track their location and
movement in a real-time manner. This can help prevent theft and ensure that valuable assets
are properly protected. For example, if an artifact is removed from its display, the IoT sensor
will trigger an alert, enabling museum staff to quickly take actions to secure the asset.
This document describes how IoT technology can be used to effectively manage a variety of
cultural heritage assets. This document is purposed to provide useful information or guidelines
for development of platforms or services on IoT-based management of cultural heritage.
In particular, this document focuses on management of stand-alone cultural heritage assets. A
stand-alone cultural heritage is a single cultural asset that is not part of a larger collection or
group of assets. Stand-alone cultural assets can be important to a particular community or
group and can be preserved and protected in order to preserve the cultural heritage of that
group. In the context of cultural heritage management, stand-alone cultural assets can be
treated differently than assets that are part of a larger collection, as they possibly do not have
the same level of institutional support or resources available for their preservation.
IEC TR 30189 consists of two parts.
– Part 1 describes a framework for the use of IoT technology for management of tangible
cultural heritage assets, which includes the associated functional entities and information
flows.
– Part 2 describes a set of use cases for IoT-based management of tangible cultural heritage
assets, based on the framework, which include implementations and experimentations for
the associated services.
– 6 – ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025 © ISO/IEC 2025
INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) –
IOT-BASED MANAGEMENT OF TANGIBLE
CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS –
Part 1: Framework
1 Scope
This document describes a framework for the use of IoT technology for management of tangible
cultural heritage assets, which includes the associated functional entities and information flows.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
cultural heritage
legacy of physical objects and intangible attributes of a group or a society that are inherited
from past generations, maintained and protected in the present and preserved for future
generations
[SOURCE: ISO 18461:2016, 2.1.3]
3.2
Internet of Things
infrastructure of interconnected entities, people, systems and information resources together
with services which processes and reacts to information from the physical world and virtual
world
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 20924:2024, 3.2.8]
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
CCTV closed circuit television
CHM cultural heritage management
GPS global positioning system
IoT Internet of Things
JSON JavaScript Object Notation
JWT JSON Web Token
MQTT Message Queue Telemetry Transport
OAuth Open Authorization
RDBMS relational database management system
URL Uniform Resource Locator
5 General
5.1 Cultural heritage management
Cultural heritage represents national or world-wide heritage that has been artificially or naturally
formed. Among the properties that have been preserved for a long period of time and passed
down to the present day, those with great historical, artistic, and academic value are designated
as cultural heritage assets.
Figure 1 shows examples of the famous cultural heritage assets in the world. These cultural
heritage assets exist indoors or outdoors, and their sizes vary greatly.
Figure 1 – Examples of cultural heritage assets
– 8 – ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025 © ISO/IEC 2025
Cultural heritage management is the process of preserving and managing the material and
immaterial aspects of cultural heritage assets that include historic buildings, archaeological
sites, monuments, artifacts, and documents.
In general, cultural heritage management is associated with identification, conservation, and
public engagement. Identification of cultural heritage is the first step in cultural heritage
management. This involves identifying and documenting the cultural assets within a community.
This process can be achieved through surveys, inventories, and other data collection methods.
The identification of cultural heritage is essential to understanding its value and significance,
as well as determining appropriate management strategies. Next, the conservation is the
process of preserving cultural heritage for future generations. This involves a range of activities,
such as stabilizing, repairing, digitizing, and protecting cultural assets from damage, decay,
and deterioration. Conservation can also involve preventive measures, such as climate control,
security, and monitoring. Finally, the public engagement is a critical aspect of cultural heritage
management. This involves the development of partnerships and collaborations with
communities, stakeholders, and other organizations. Public engagement is essential for
ensuring that cultural heritage management is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the
community, and that it is sustainable over the long term.
5.2 Management of stand-alone cultural heritage assets
Cultural heritage assets are the common heritage of humankind and thus it is important that
they are preserved and protected for a long time. However, these cultural heritage assets can
be damaged for various reasons.
Figure 2 gives some examples of damage to tangible cultural heritage assets. A cultural
heritage can be damaged for various reasons such as natural damage (e.g. worn-out),
destruction (e.g. broken), and theft. Such damage will lead to a great loss of value. To preserve
cultural heritage assets and prevent damage to the cultural heritage assets, it is important that
a variety of services for cultural heritage management is used, as shown in Figure 2. These
management functions include the status monitoring of cultural heritage assets, the surveillance
of cultural heritage damage by humans or animals, the prevention of intentional theft, and the
location tracking for stolen cultural heritage assets.
Figure 2 – Management for conservation of tangible cultural heritage assets
Most famous cultural heritage assets are usually registered with a cultural heritage
management authority (e.g. cultural heritage administration), and are located and managed in
a relevant place (e.g. museum or tourist attraction). On the other hand, a number of cultural
heritage assets are not under the management of cultural heritage management authority.
These cultural heritage assets are referred to as "stand-alone" cultural heritage assets in this
document.
The conservation of stand-alone heritage assets is a critical aspect of cultural heritage
management. Stand-alone heritage assets refer to historic buildings, monuments, and other
structures that are not part of a larger historic district or cultural landscape. These structures
can be vulnerable to deterioration, neglect, or inappropriate development, and require specific
conservation strategies.
Stand-alone cultural heritage can exist independently. However, it is important to preserve and
protect cultural heritage because it helps to preserve the unique identity and history of a group
or society. Some stand-alone cultural heritage can be owned and managed by a private or
unofficial organization, rather than an official or public authority. In particular, such stand-alone
cultural heritage assets are more vulnerable to damage (e.g. worn-out, broken, theft) than the
famous cultural heritage in a museum. Accordingly, it is important to give special management
to the stand-alone cultural heritage assets for conservation of cultural heritage assets.
It is important to consider the condition of a stand-alone heritage in cultural heritage
management. The condition refers to the physical state of the structure, including its materials,
construction, and architectural features. The condition of a stand-alone heritage can impact its
significance, as well as the type and extent of conservation interventions required.
5.3 Considerations for IoT-based management of cultural heritage assets
5.3.1 General
The Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to manage tangible cultural heritage assets. Cultural
heritage management can be implemented based on the general IoT system. The key concepts
for IoT-based management of cultural heritage include sensors and data analytics.
– Sensors are a critical component of IoT-based cultural heritage management. Sensors can
be used to monitor environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light levels,
as well as structural integrity, such as movement, vibrations, and settling. Sensors can
provide real-time data that can be used to inform conservation and management decisions.
For example, sensors can be used to monitor the temperature and humidity of a museum's
climate-controlled storage room to ensure that the artworks are being kept in the optimal
environment. Sensors can also be used to monitor the structural integrity of a historic
building to detect any signs of damage or deterioration.
– Data analytics is another critical concept in IoT-based cultural heritage management. Data
analytics involves the analysis of sensor data and other digital data sources to identify
patterns, trends, and anomalies. Data analytics, including predictive analytics, can help to
identify potential threats and risks to cultural heritage sites, as well as inform management
and conservation strategies. For example, data analytics can be used to identify patterns of
visitor behaviour that could potentially damage artworks. Data analytics can also be used to
identify areas of a historic building that are at risk of collapse.
The framework is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the specific needs of different cultural
heritage sites. It can be used to manage a wide range of cultural assets, from small artifacts to
large buildings.
The IoT-based management of cultural heritage is a complex undertaking. It requires a deep
understanding of the unique attributes of cultural heritage management, as well as the latest
IoT technologies.
5.3.2 Device
The IoT devices for management of cultural heritage are designed to monitor and track the
condition and movement of cultural heritage assets, such as artifacts and works of art. These
devices can be applied to the heritage assets themselves or placed in the environment in which
the heritage assets are housed.
– 10 – ISO/IEC TR 30189-1:2025 © ISO/IEC 2025
Unlike general-purpose IoT devices that are commonly used for continuous environmental
monitoring, cultural heritage management devices possess unique requirements. The following
are the distinctive requirements of IoT devices for cultural heritage management.
– Purpose: IoT devices for cultural heritage management are designed to provide monitoring
and tracking capabilities for the preservation of cultural assets. This means that it is
important that they are able to collect and transmit data that is relevant to the condition and
movement of the assets, such as temperature, humidity, light levels, and vibration. They
can also be equipped with sensors that can detect specific threats to the assets, such as
unauthorized access or tampering.
– Shape: It is important that the shape of IoT devices for cultural heritage management are
compatible with the specific needs of the heritage being monitored. For example, the need
for a device that is attached to a delicate artifact to be small and lightweight, and the need
for a device to be designed to be non-intrusive so that it does not damage the artifact.
– Location: IoT devices for cultural heritage management can be located indoors or outdoors.
It is important for the devices to withstand the environmental conditions of the location where
they are being used.
– Sensors: IoT devices for cultural heritage management are equipped with a variety of
sensors that can collect data about the condition of the assets and the environment around
them. These sensors can include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors,
vibration sensors, and tilt sensors.
– Power supply: The power supply for IoT devices for cultural heritage management depends
on the location of the devices and the type of sensors they are equipped with. Indoor devices
are typically powered by others, but outdoor devices require independent power. Therefore,
solar power, such as solar PV (photo voltaic), can be useful for the sensors used to manage
cultural heritage, in addition to the electric power supply.
– Functionality: The devices used for cultural heritage management provide functions for
status monitoring of cultural heritage, intrusion detection by animals or humans, and location
tracking for stolen cultural heritage in addition to transmission of sensor data to a platform.
5.3.3 Platform
The cultural heritage management platform is responsible for collecting and processing
information collected from devices located near cultural heritage assets in real time and
delivering it to applications that require the information. In order to provide a smooth service, it
is important that the cultural heritage management platform provides the following functions.
– Cultural heritage data management: This function entails the identification, description,
location, and status of individual cultural heritage assets, and registering them within a
database. This helps in systematically classifying and managing various cultural heritage
assets according to type, era, importance, and other related factors. The documentation on
a tangible cultural heritage asset, including its history and where it comes from, is important
in the IoT-based management of cultural heritage assets, which often determines the asset's
value. It is important to manage the relevant information with an appropriate database in the
pl
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...