Federation of trusted data distribution systems is accomplished by treating an entire data distribution network as either a publisher or subscriber to a feed in another data distribution network. A first data feed is created in a first data feed management subsystem associated with a first data distribution network. A second data feed related to the first data feed is created in a second data feed management subsystem associated with a second data distribution network. A first data access policy is associated with the second data feed and a publisher for the second data feed is created in the second data distribution network. The identity and authentication of a second subscriber to the second data feed in the second data distribution network is managed by referencing the first data access policy.