By Kehad Snydewel
In our fast-paced digital era, data has transcended its mere informational status to become the lifeblood of businesses and organizations. Data is the bedrock of strategic decision-making, fostering innovation, giving enterprises a sense of direction, and fueling sustainable growth. We know that terabytes of data are generated every second worldwide, from customer interactions to market trends, research data, qualitative and quantitative data, and much more.
This data needs to be stored; we don’t want to lose it. In fact, organizations can be liable and in breach of law if they lose data or store it incorrectly. We are beginning to understand the transformative power of harnessing data as an organization; it can be the ‘edge’ a company is looking for. But who owns the data?
Just because data is generated in Namibia does not mean it automatically belongs to Namibia. Where is the data stored? Who has access to the data? Where are the servers located? Is it within Namibia or abroad? That is where the principle of ‘Data Sovereignty’ pops up. Data sovereignty ensures that organizations, governments, and individuals have control over their data. Being in control and having ownership of data allows organizations to self-determine how their data is collected, stored, shared, and used by others. Often, companies and governmental agencies, from ministries to councils and individuals, never consider where they store their sensitive and critical data, which is surprising and a cause for concern.
At Green, we recognize that data is more than just ones and zeroes, and we see it as our duty to inform and educate our clients about the power and potential of data. We also educate the client on the importance of data sovereignty, which is quite a foreign concept to many. Namibian organizations must consider data sovereignty when deciding where to store data, such as on-premises or in the Cloud.
Not only being aware but compliance with (inter)national laws regarding data storage is essential to ensure that the data is protected, and privacy is guaranteed. It can be a minefield and must be taken very seriously, as you can easily be non-compliant without knowing it. Not taking this seriously could impact the ability to do business with international companies, or in certain parts of the world. When discussing data storage and management, we keep returning to Data Sovereignty.
As Namibia moves towards digitization in every sector and our Government embraces online services, storing data within our borders is vital. Why would we let another country guard our data? ICT services companies such as Green must educate their clients, the general public, and the Government. We will be kicking ourselves in five or ten years if we don’t maintain sovereignty over our data. Why give away an organisation’s crown jewels?
The role of ICT is so crucial to everyday life and in organisations, that there are calls for ICT professionals to take an oath to protect data. Much like doctors and lawyers are beholden to oaths, rules, and regulations, some believe that the ICT industry needs to have the same strict and enforceable laws. At Green, we think we can assist our clients in maintaining sovereignty over their data.
ICT has transformed Government services by providing automated interfaces and processes for its public services. Companies are innovating at breakneck speed, and with the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data must be stored securely and correctly. It can be the competitive edge over competitors, as being internationally compliant is often a condition of doing business. It is essential that people, organizations, and countries can count on their data being safe and secure and, most importantly, that ownership or sovereignty of data is at the core of their businesses.
Kehad Snydewel is the Managing Director at Green Enterprise Solutions (Pty) Ltd