The term is often used synonymously with data ownership and is part of the broader issue of digital sovereignty.
why is data sovereignty important?
In an increasingly connected world, data is a key resource – economically, socially, and politically. Those who have data can control processes, analyze behavior, and influence decisions. This makes it all the more important for companies and public institutions to be able to determine for themselves who has access to their data, where it is stored, and for what purpose it is processed.
This results in the following challenges:
- Dependence on cloud providers outside the European legal area
- Non-transparent data flows in complex IT ecosystems
- Unclear responsibilities for data processing
- Legal uncertainties in international data traffic
The physical storage of data within the European Union – ideally even in Germany – is a central component of data sovereignty. This is the only way to ensure that the strict requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) apply without restriction. In addition, storage in European data centers protects against access by foreign authorities on the basis of national laws such as the US CLOUD Act.
what this means for businesses
Data sovereignty is a strategic success factor. It not only protects against compliance risks, but also builds trust among customers, partners, and employees. Companies that manage their data with sovereignty are more resilient to cyberattacks, regulatory changes, and geopolitical tensions.
Enterprise Content Management (ECM) supports data sovereignty on multiple levels:
- Central data storage on European servers or in your own infrastructure
- Access control and role management for maximum control
- Audit-proof archiving in accordance with legal requirements
- Transparent workflows that make data flows traceable
A sovereign ECM system enables companies to secure their information sovereignty – independently of external platforms or proprietary systems.