Data surge needs a sovereign cloud

In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and automation, data has become the raw material from which meaning is extracted. It is the ink of the digital age, capturing everything from personal memories and medical records to national infrastructure and economic intent.

- BY ADRIAN HOBBS

As Al gains momentum and digital transformation becomes the default, data is no longer a by-product of our actions — it is the action. And with its rise comes a fundamental question: not whether we should entrust our data to the cloud, but how we do so securely, responsibly, and sovereignly.

In this context, sovereignty is about far more than geography; it's about assurance, about who governs, who protects, and who ultimately holds the keys to the digital world we are building.

In this shift, sovereign cloud has emerged not only as a compliance requirement but also as a foundation for digital trust.

Three pillars of digital sovereignty

True digital sovereignty is built on three interdependent pillars: data sovereignty, operational sovereignty, and technological sovereignty.

Data sovereignty is about understanding where your data resides, who can access it and under what jurisdiction. Operational sovereignty involves the people and processes operating the environments where data is stored and processed. Technological sovereignty focuses on ensuring the continuity and independence of the technology stack, making systems resilient even during geopolitical or commercial disruptions.

Too often, these elements are conflated or oversimplified.