Data sovereignty in a troubled world: ensure a Dutch safety net

International relations have changed considerably in recent years. According to the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), there is a fragmenting world order, in which the Netherlands is faced with painful choices to survive in an increasingly grim geopolitical climate. The WRR points to three profound changes: the rise of multiple superpowers, increasing competition in new areas such as the chip industry and the internet, and the growing influence of alternative worldviews that challenge the liberal West.

These trends have direct consequences for companies and organisations that operate in the digital world. Data that seems safely stored in a foreign data center today, can become the subject of geopolitical tensions, legislation or sanctions tomorrow. Think of recent examples where countries suddenly restricted access to certain services, or where tech companies came under pressure because of their data location or origin. Cyber ​​​​threats from state actors are also increasing, and regularly targetting critical infrastructures, including cloud environments.

The WRR therefore warns that the Netherlands must prepare for a world in which digital dependencies must be approached more strategically. In that context, data sovereignty is not merely an IT issue, but a necessary precondition for economic and social resilience.

The benefits of hyperscalers

Despite growing geopolitical uncertainties and data sovereignty debates, large cloud platform vendors (so-called hyperscalers) such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) remain a vital part of many organisations’ digital strategy. And for good reason. These platforms offer an unparalleled combination of reliability, scalability and innovation that is difficult to match with traditional on-premise solutions or smaller, local players.

These vendors have globally distributed, state-of-the-art data centers that are built with the highest standards of availability, security and efficiency. They invest billions of dollars per year into optimising their infrastructure, including redundancy, DDoS protection, physical security and advanced monitoring tools. For organisations, this means they can rely on a platform that runs 24/7, at high performance and with minimal downtime.

In addition, the scale of the platforms of these hyperscalers makes it possible to quickly scale up and down. Whether you are a startup with growth ambitions, or a multinational with global operations, the cloud offers a flexible foundation that moves with you. New services, such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and big data analysis are often available first via these platforms, which accelerates innovation without heavy upfront investments.

What is often overlooked is that these cloud providers are also serious about compliance and local availability. Microsoft, AWS and Google now have several data centers in Europe, including in the Netherlands and Germany. They increasingly offer customers the option to choose where their data is physically stored - an important step towards transparency and compliance with laws and regulations such as the GDPR and the Cybersecurity Act.

The importance of control and backups: data sovereignty in practice

However, using hyperscalers is not without risks, especially in a world where geopolitical tensions can suddenly lead to legal restrictions or digital disruptions. The essence of data sovereignty is not just about where your data is, but more about who has access to it, under what conditions and whether you as an organisation retain control.

In the event of international conflicts or sanctions, data flows can be blocked, or governments can impose requirements for access to certain data. Hyperscalers themselves are also subject to national legislation of the country of origin, such as the American CLOUD Act, which gives authorities access to data from American companies under certain circumstances, even if that data is stored in Europe.

That is why it is crucial to have a robust backup strategy, separate from the primary cloud environment. By additionally storing critical business data, such as customer data, financial administration or operational systems, in a European environment, you increase the control and independence of your organisation. You are less dependent on a single supplier or legal context and can recover more quickly from disruptions, such as cyber incidents, human errors or international blockades.

A backup on, in this instance, Dutch soil also ensures that you comply with national and European legislation more easily. Moreover, it gives organisations more control over their own data flows, because the physical and legal infrastructure remains within reach. This not only offers peace of mind, but also concrete advantages in audits, risk analyses and compliance processes.

Global capabilities with local assurance

In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, it is not necessary to forgo the benefits of global cloud storage. However, it is crucial to take precautions. By investing in local backups and clear agreements on data storage and management, organisations can benefit from the power of hyperscalers without sacrificing control and compliance.

In short: let the world be your data center, as long as your home base is well organized.

Not an easy subject

We understand that data sovereignty is not a simple subject. It touches on technology, legislation, risks and strategic choices. Moreover, every organisation is different, what works for one, can be a risk for another. That is why we at Claranet offer a free and independent consultation. In that conversation, we look at your specific situation together, map out the risks and opportunities, and help you get a grip on your data, wherever it is. A clear and honest conversation with experts who understand what you stand for.

Find out more and speak to one of our data experts today.