Digital Sovereignty Checklist
7 Steps to Digital Sovereignty
Digital sovereignty is important both for protecting sensitive business data and ensuring business continuity. Maintaining proper safeguards depends not only on internal practices, but also on those of your organization’s technology, service, and cloud storage partners.
Entrusting partners with data is necessary but can increase security risks. We recommend the following steps to strengthen your digital sovereignty posture.
1. Consider open source alternatives
Free open source software can be a good alternative to reduce licensing costs and
dependence on proprietary systems.
2. Look to EU software vendors
The EU has the world's strictest regulations regarding data protection, consumer protection,
and due diligence. EU-based software vendors typically include robust features for data and
infrastructure protection.
3. Use EU-based cloud storage and encrypt data
Using cloud services that comply with the EU’s strict data protection regulations can
simplify and improve your data governance practices. You can also encrypt data stored
in the cloud for an added layer of security.
4. On-premises vs. cloud storage
Keep sensitive data close to home with on-premises storage. With a hybrid strategy
data access can be controlled reliably - provided you build up the necessary in-house expertise.
5. Hold partners accountable
Require contractual assurances and transparency from your technology and service partners
regarding security standards, data processing, transfers to and from third countries,
and compliance documentation.
6. Have Plan B ready
Through technical errors, system faults, manmade or natural disasters, or other events,
technology and service partners may not be able to ensure safe handling of your data.
Have backup and business continuity plans prepared in case you need to change providers quickly.
7. Co-management and diversification
Avoid over-dependence on individual software solutions through diversification and
co-management. This will reduce the risks of downtime if a solution fails and allow
you to switch to another quickly in an emergency.
At a glance:
Investing in digital sovereignty and data governance (opens in new tab) protects your data, reduces costs, and ensures business continuity.
baramundi helps you keep your IT data and infrastructure reliable, resilient, and secure, whether you manage an on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environment.