11 Apr 2024
by Matt Williams

Data Sovereignty: Implications for UK Public Sector

For any business leader, striking the delicate balance between leveraging the benefits of cloud computing and the seamless movement of data across borders while also sticking to relevant data protection laws and regulations is critical.

As data becomes increasingly important to businesses, governance over how it is stored, processed, and transferred has risen to the top of the agenda. Therefore, understanding what data sovereignty entails and its implications is crucial for any organization hoping to navigate the complex landscape of global data successfully while remaining compliant with data residency legislation.

What is Data Sovereignty?

Data sovereignty refers to the principle that data is subject to the laws and governance structures of the country in which it is collected or stored.

For UK-based entities, this means compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and The Data Protection Act of 2018, which mandate stringent requirements for the protection and privacy of personal data.

Compliance regulations ensure companies stick to the rules and help to foster customer trust, building the reputation and credibility of entities operating within the UK and beyond.

Broader, Political Dynamics

The choice of data storage location can have far-reaching consequences for security, performance, and accessibility. While cloud computing offers the scalability and flexibility that businesses have come to depend on, concerns over data residency and jurisdictional issues highlight the importance of choosing providers with robust data sovereignty measures. Moreover, data sovereignty cannot be viewed in isolation. It intersects with broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly concerning Brexit and the UK's departure from the European Union.

As the UK navigates its course as an independent country, questions surrounding data transfers between the UK and the EU were inevitable. The EU's adequacy decision, which recognizes the UK's data protection framework as good enough, has provided a degree of assurance for cross-border data flows, but only until 27 June 2025. The European Commission will then decide whether or not to extend the adequacy decisions for the UK for up to a maximum of another four years.

Vigilance is Key

These ongoing negotiations and the possibility of needing more adequacy to extend means that ongoing vigilance and adaptation from UK-based businesses are non-negotiable.

In addition to regulatory and geopolitical considerations, data sovereignty impacts cybersecurity strategies. The decentralized nature of data storage and processing introduces myriad vulnerabilities, making companies more vulnerable to data breaches, cyberattacks, and unauthorized access.

A Culture of Data Responsibility

Data sovereignty has implications for data governance and stewardship within businesses, too. Establishing clear policies and procedures that govern how data is collected, used, shared, and stored is essential for ensuring compliance and upholding ethical standards.

Also, by fostering a culture of data responsibility and accountability, businesses can mitigate the risk of misusing data and boost transparency and trust with stakeholders.

To successfully address all these challenges and complexities, UK-based businesses must adopt a holistic approach to data sovereignty that considers all the legal, technical, and organizational dimensions.

A Holistic, Proactive Approach

This means conducting comprehensive risk assessments, implementing robust security measures, and encouraging a culture of compliance and accountability. Moreover, collaboration with legal experts, cybersecurity professionals, and regulatory authorities is critical for navigating the evolving landscape of data sovereignty and safeguarding the interests of businesses and their stakeholders.

Next, businesses should invest in technologies such as encryption, blockchain, and secure multiparty computation, as these ensure data sovereignty by enabling safe and transparent data transactions while preserving privacy and integrity. Adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, comprised of robust encryption, emerging technologies, access controls, and incident response protocols, is essential for safeguarding data sovereignty and mitigating risk.


Heather Cover-Kus

Heather Cover-Kus

Head of Central Government Programme, techUK

Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.

Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat.  She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.

Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538

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Ellie Huckle

Ellie Huckle

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.

The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!

Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.

When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2015
Twitter:
@techUK,@techUK
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx

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Annie Collings

Annie Collings

Programme Manager, Cyber Security and Central Government, techUK

Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.

Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
anniecollings24
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/

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Austin Earl

Austin Earl

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.

With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in Education, Central and Local Government and the NHS.

Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in Education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07891 743 932
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/

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Ella Gago-Brookes

Ella Gago-Brookes

Team Assistant, Markets, techUK

Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.  

Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022.  Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.  

In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.  

Email:
[email protected]

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Authors

Matt Williams

Regional Sales Manager, Thales