{"id":29868,"date":"2026-09-13T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pegamento.nl\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/what-does-data-sovereignty-mean-for-dutch-organizations\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T13:45:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T11:45:54","slug":"what-does-data-sovereignty-mean-for-dutch-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pegamento.nl\/en\/contact-center\/what-does-data-sovereignty-mean-for-dutch-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"What does data sovereignty mean for Dutch organizations?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Organizations work with various cloud environments, software vendors, and digital platforms on a daily basis. In the process, data moves from one system to another and ends up with different parties. However, it\u2019s not always clear exactly where that data ultimately ends up or who has access to it.<\/p>\n

<\/span>That is precisely what data sovereignty is all about. It means knowing where your data is stored, which laws govern it, and which parties have access to it. Especially when working with customer data or confidential business information, your organization wants to maintain control over this. <\/span> <\/p>\n

What is data sovereignty?<\/h2>\n

Data sovereignty means that, as an organization, you retain control over your data. The location where data is stored plays a role in this, but there is more to it than that. The laws governing the data, who can access it, and how dependent you are on a vendor also determine how much control you ultimately have. <\/span><\/p>\n

The latter is becoming increasingly relevant because many organizations use international cloud and software providers. The technology offers many possibilities, but it can also result in some control falling outside your own organization. Data sovereignty therefore does not mean that you have to manage everything yourself. The main point is that you know how your data is processed and can make informed choices about it. <\/span><\/p>\n

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What we often see is that organizations know which systems they use, but don’t always know exactly what happens to their data afterward. \u2014 Ger Koedam, marketing manager at Pegamento <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Data in Europe does not automatically mean European oversight<\/h2>\n

The physical location of data doesn’t always tell the whole story. For example, an international cloud provider may store data in a European data center, while the company behind that service is subject to the laws of another country. <\/span><\/p>\n

That distinction is important. For example, U.S. technology companies are subject to U.S. law through the CLOUD Act. U.S. authorities can use legal proceedings to demand access to data held by U.S. companies, even when that data is physically stored in Europe. For Dutch organizations, this means that choosing a cloud or software provider is not just about functionality or security. The legal framework behind that technology also plays a role. <\/span><\/p>\n

The GDPR serves as an important foundation for the protection and processing of personal data. Depending on the sector, additional rules and guidelines may also apply, for example, to organizations in the healthcare, financial, or public sectors. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more \u2192 Digital Sovereignty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What are the risks of having less control over your data?<\/h2>\n

Less control over data can have consequences in various ways. For example, compliance issues may arise if an organization cannot sufficiently demonstrate where data is processed or who has access to it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dependence on a single supplier can also pose a risk. When data and processes are tightly integrated with a single system, switching to another supplier can become complicated. This limits the freedom to make different technological choices in the future. Business continuity is another factor to consider. Changes at a vendor, new legislation, or geopolitical developments can affect the systems on which an organization relies on a daily basis. <\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, customers and partners expect organizations to handle their data with care. As a result, control over data is not just a technical or legal issue, but also relates to the trust people place in an organization. <\/span><\/p>\n

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As long as everything is running smoothly, you often don’t realize how dependent you are on a supplier. That usually only becomes clear when you want to make a change. \u2014 Ger Koedam, marketing manager at Pegamento <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How can you get a better handle on your data?<\/h2>\n

Gaining better control over data starts, above all, with understanding the current situation. Many organizations use different systems and vendors, which means it is not always immediately clear where data is being processed or which information is the most sensitive or important. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have that overview, it becomes easier to determine where more control is needed. After all, not all data needs to be handled in the same way. Sensitive customer data or information critical to day-to-day operations may be subject to different requirements than less critical data. The ability to move data to a different environment at a later date is also a factor here. By taking this into account in advance and establishing clear agreements regarding security, responsibilities, and data management, an organization remains more flexible. Greater data sovereignty, therefore, does not mean you have to do everything yourself, but rather that you can consciously choose where you want to retain control. <\/span><\/p>\n

Discuss your situation with an expert <\/span>\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n

What does data sovereignty mean for customer engagement?<\/h2>\n

A great deal of data is also processed in customer interactions. This includes customer information and contact history, as well as phone calls, call recordings, and data from integrated systems. Precisely because this information is part of daily customer interactions, it\u2019s easy to forget just how much data is involved in a single conversation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Telephony is a good example of this. A phone call may seem primarily like communication between a customer and an employee, but behind the scenes, various types of data are processed and sometimes stored. That\u2019s why it\u2019s also important in customer contact to know where that information ends up and which laws apply to it. At Pegamento, for example, data within Phone System is stored on Dutch infrastructure, under European law. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more \u2192 Phone System<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

How does Pegamento approach data sovereignty?<\/h2>\n

For Pegamento, data sovereignty begins with the choices made behind the scenes of the technology. That is why Pegamento partners with Uniserver, a Dutch cloud provider,<\/a> for the hosting and infrastructure of its own platforms. The data is stored in Dutch data centers, and the infrastructure is subject to Dutch and European law. <\/span><\/p>\n

But control over data isn\u2019t just about where that data is stored. It\u2019s also about the freedom to integrate technology, customize it, or make different choices down the road. That\u2019s why Pegamento uses open standards and a modular architecture. This prevents an organization from being unnecessarily locked into a single technology or vendor. <\/span><\/p>\n

Information security is also part of that. Pegamento is ISO 9001- and ISO 27001-certified, and Uniserver operates using ISO 27001-certified infrastructure. This way, data location, the underlying technology, and security all come together in the way Pegamento designs its solutions. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also listen to \u2192 Podcast with Uniserver on digital sovereignty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What is the difference between data sovereignty and data privacy?<\/h2>\n

Data sovereignty and data privacy are closely related, but they do not mean the same thing. Data privacy is primarily about the protection of personal data and how it is collected, used, and secured. Data sovereignty goes a step further and focuses on control over where and how data is stored and managed, as well as which jurisdiction governs that data. An organization may therefore have its privacy measures well in place, but at the same time be heavily dependent on a foreign provider for the storage or processing of data. That is why it is important to consider privacy and data sovereignty in conjunction with one another. <\/span><\/p>\n

How much control does your organization have over its data?<\/h2>\n

Data sovereignty doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you have to overhaul your entire digital environment. It starts with understanding the choices that have already been made. Where is your critical data stored, which vendors are involved, and in which areas does your organization want to maintain more control? From there, you can determine which technical, legal, and organizational measures are actually necessary. In this way, data sovereignty becomes not just an isolated IT issue, but a conscious choice about how your organization manages its data and digital dependencies. <\/span><\/p>\n

Would you like a better understanding of where your data is stored and how much control you have over it? Pegamento would be happy to help you figure it out. If you\u2019d like to learn more first, you can also download the white paper \u201cHow Much Control Do You Want?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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Schedule an introductory meeting<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

Download the white paper \u201cHow Sovereign Do You Want to Be?\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
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\n On average, how long does it take to fully implement data sovereignty? <\/h3>\n

\n The implementation of data sovereignty varies greatly from organization to organization, but takes 6-18 months on average. This depends on the complexity of your current IT infrastructure, the number of data systems that need to be migrated, and the level of customization required. Smaller organizations can often transition within 3-6 months, while large enterprises with complex legacy systems may require up to 2 years. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What is the cost of implementing data sovereignty compared to regular cloud solutions? <\/h3>\n

\n Sovereign cloud solutions are typically 10-30% more expensive than international cloud providers, but this investment often outweighs the risks of penalties, reputational damage and operational disruptions. Many organizations are finding that the total cost of ownership (TCO) is similar when compliance costs, risk management and the value of full control are factored in. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Can I combine data sovereignty with the use of international SaaS tools? <\/h3>\n

\n Yes, this is possible through a hybrid approach where critical data is stored sovereignly and less sensitive information is processed through international tools. It is important to have a clear data classification and contractual agreements on data location and access. Some international providers now also offer sovereign services from Dutch data centers. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n How do I check if my current cloud provider meets data sovereignty requirements? <\/h3>\n

\n Ask your provider for transparency about data location, legal jurisdiction, and access rights from foreign authorities. Check if they have certifications such as ISO 27001 and specific sovereign cloud standards. Get legal advice on your contracts and consider auditing your provider to verify compliance. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What should I do if my current cloud contract does not meet data sovereignty requirements? <\/h3>\n

\n Start with a risk analysis to determine urgency and identify which data is most critical. Negotiate with your current provider for modifications or sovereign alternatives within their portfolio. In parallel, develop a migration strategy to a sovereign provider, moving the most sensitive data first in phases to minimize risks. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What specific certifications should I look for from a sovereign cloud provider? <\/h3>\n

\n Look for ISO 27001 for information security, SOC 2 Type II for operational controls, and specific sovereign cloud certifications such as VMware Sovereign Cloud or similar standards. For Dutch organizations, ISAE 3402 (for financial controls) and industry-specific certifications such as NEN 7510 (healthcare) are also relevant. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n How do I ensure that my employees implement data sovereignty correctly? <\/h3>\n

\n Develop clear procedures for data classification and train employees in recognizing sensitive information. Implement technical controls that automatically prevent data from being exported to non-sovereign systems. Organize regular awareness sessions and make data sovereignty part of your security awareness program with concrete examples from your day-to-day operations. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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