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.
Non-transparent data flows pose a particular challenge. Even today, many companies are unable to fully track where their data is stored and which systems access it. As a result, it becomes more difficult to ensure control, compliance, and data security over the long term.
The importance of data sovereignty is also reflected in market studies conducted in Germany. One key finding is that many companies primarily associate digital sovereignty with control over their data and a clear understanding of who can access that data.
The challenges are well known. But how do organizations assess their situation in practice? The recent study “Digital Sovereignty 2026” provides valuable insights into this question.
2026 Self-Assessment of Digital Sovereignty
What German companies are currently focused on.
- 57.2% are concerned that foreign authorities might access company data when using non-EU cloud providers.
- 38.1% of surveyed business representatives see the complexity of existing IT systems as the biggest obstacle to achieving data sovereignty.
- Only about half of all companies can fully trace data flows and storage locations across their cloud architectures.
- 42.9% primarily associate digital sovereignty with maintaining control over their own data.
- More than 70% would be willing to accept higher costs in exchange for greater digital sovereignty.
Detailed information will be available in the upcoming management summary of the study “Digital Sovereignty 2026.”
As a result, organizations face 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.
Significance for companies
For a long time, data sovereignty was primarily associated with data protection, compliance, and IT security. Today, it has become a strategic factor for competitiveness, innovation, and the successful adoption of artificial intelligence.
Data Sovereignty in the Age of AI
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow, data sovereignty is becoming increasingly important. Recent studies (August 2026) show that 21.8% of companies are already using autonomous AI agents in production environments, while another 34.3% are planning pilot projects.
The more deeply AI becomes integrated into business processes, the more important questions surrounding data origin, usage, and control become. Organizations need to understand where data is being used, who can access it, and how its use can be governed and monitored.
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
- Sovereign use of AI applications: Organizations define which data may be used for AI-driven processes and which data is allowed to leave the organization.
A sovereign ECM system enables companies to secure their information sovereignty – independently of external platforms or proprietary systems.
