- Karolina Bąba
Data sovereignty, meaning local and global processing
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Cloud computing is currently the IT model without which most organizations cannot imagine conducting their business. More and more entrepreneurs are opting for storing their corporate data in virtual space. However, with the increase in the volume of data processed in the cloud, special attention must be paid to maintaining their sovereignty.
Data sovereignty gains importance
More than half of those surveyed in the report prepared by Polcom and Intel “IT investments in times of crisis. Cloud and new technologies. Perspectives for 2022-2023” store data in centers located in Poland and abroad, and 21 percent use only domestic data centers. Meanwhile, over one-fifth of the entrepreneurs surveyed pay particular attention to choosing a cloud service provider whose data center is located in Poland.
Data sovereignty has become one of the key aspects playing a fundamental role in the business activities of many organizations. In the context of cloud computing, it is particularly important that data stored on servers be located in the country where the organization operates and subject to its local legislation.
Our analysis and discussions with partners indicate that the nature of the processed data is primarily influencing such a position. Both businesses and Polish institutions are increasingly aware that sensitive data should not be stored outside the area of the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Moreover, some data, such as medical records, may only be stored and processed within Poland – notes Wiesław Wilk, Vice President of the Management Board of Polcom and Chairman of the Polish Cloud Association.
Sovereignty versus data security
During the processing of sensitive data, it is important to ensure that they are covered by the appropriate level of protection. Data sovereignty provides security and guarantees that no data leaves the country’s territory, and their processing takes place in data centers subject to local jurisdiction.
However, sovereignty is not only a matter related to security, but also has an impact on the company’s reputation and its further development. A company that takes care of and protects its data gains the necessary credibility in the eyes of its customers.