Having control over your own data has become more important than ever. In this article, we go through recent changes, why it has become more important, and what steps you can take to protect your data.

Do you have complete control over who has access to your organization’s data? If so, then great! You may go and enjoy a celebratory coffee. However, even if you followed the GDPR guidelines to the letter a few years ago, the world is constantly changing at an increasing pace. We find ourselves in a different place today, and the topic of data sovereignty has re-emerged quicker than many of us could foresee. Therefore, maintaining control over your data is not just a simple checkbox; it is an ongoing process. 

Why is data sovereignty back on the agenda?

Data storage and ownership have always been a top priority for people working with data privacy. However, following the invasion of Ukraine, unpredictable US politics, and new, stricter cybersecurity regulations like NIS2, this topic has rapidly returned to the agenda for a broader range of decision-makers.

Nowadays, we regularly hear about it. An increasing number of governments are advocating for an exit plan from US cloud services, leading to a growing interest in cloud repatriation and a shift back to on-premises infrastructure or European cloud alternatives. This need is also heavily implied in the NIS2 directive, where affected organizations require continuous risk assessment and incident reporting, which results in heightened demands for data storage and access rights to said data. 

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Why data sovereignty matters

Let us take a step back a bit. Data sovereignty overlaps with many aspects of GDPR in that you want to have control over where your data is stored and who has access to it. The difference lies in the sovereignty part of the term, which refers to following the laws of the country where the data is stored, not just the EU regulation itself.  

For example, a US cloud vendor might be GDPR compliant but may also need to comply with the US Cloud Act. This, along with a rapidly changing political landscape, could lead to conflicts of interest. You and your organization must make a clear decision about where your data, digital identities, and similar information is stored, and you also need to know exactly who has access to it at all times. 

What can organizations do to increase their data sovereignty? 

 

For European organizations, there is an upside already. Much of the “what, how, and where” of data protection was a massive project around the implementation of GDPR. Adding the increased cybersecurity requirements implemented around NIS2, DORA, and similar regulations in the European Union means that a lot of the work surrounding your organization’s data sovereignty should already be in place. Adapting and updating your existing policies to bring your data closer to home is a significantly smaller task than building the entire structure from the ground up.

At the same time, if you want to start preparing for a return to on-premises in one way or another, or to establish a cloud exit strategy, you can do so without needing to change your entire infrastructure. Many organizations are heavily dependent on different parts of US cloud services. Switching to European cloud alternatives or on-premises options is both a significant undertaking and sometimes not even possible. However, having a plan in place that allows an organization to synchronize data across different parts is a great step if the need to switch to European cloud services or on-premises arises. 

Choose a modern solution for peace of mind

 

Modern and flexible IAM and cybersecurity solutions allow you to implement, replace, combine, and synchronize all aspects of your identity fabric at your own pace. This means you can improve selected parts of your infrastructure without the burden of undertaking a massive project to implement an entirely new system. Additionally, it means you can synchronize data across multiple systems, making it easier to transition back to on-premises when the time is right.

If you are a European organization, selecting a Europe-based vendor for your cybersecurity needs also means that you are partnering with someone who understands and adheres to the same laws and regulations as you. This makes it much easier to adapt to changes, as you are both operating in the same environment.

Lastly, bringing and keeping your data close to home for better control does not mean locking it up in a vault and burying the key. Modern on-premises solutions make access to local data and services just as easy as any cloud service, while allowing you to control everything from access to security levels. 

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