Data sovereignty is all about owning your data
In today’s digital world, data has become the lifeblood of businesses and organisations. It drives decision-making, fosters innovation and fuels growth. With terabytes generated every second globally—from customer interactions to market trends—data storage has become critical. Proper storage is not just a logistical need; it's also a legal responsibility. Organisations can face liabilities for data loss or improper storage, making data sovereignty essential.Data sovereignty ensures control over data collection, storage and usage, raising questions about who truly owns data generated in Namibia. Simply generating data locally doesn’t mean it’s under national control; where the data is stored, who has access, and the location of the servers are crucial factors.
Many Namibian organisations, including government agencies, overlook the importance of data sovereignty, often storing sensitive information abroad without considering the risks.
At Green, we understand the value of data beyond just numbers and recognise the need to educate clients on data sovereignty – a concept that is still unfamiliar to many.
Namibian organisations must carefully consider where to store their data, whether on-premises or in the Cloud, to comply with national and international data protection laws. These laws ensure data security, privacy, and compliance, critical for maintaining business relationships with global companies.
As Namibia embraces digitisation in all sectors, storing data within national borders becomes increasingly vital. Allowing foreign entities to control local data could impact the country’s future autonomy and security.
ICT providers like Green play a key role in educating the government and public on safeguarding data sovereignty. Failing to act now may lead to regret as reliance on digital infrastructure grows.
Some argue that ICT professionals should be held to an oath, similar to those in medicine or law, to ensure data protection standards are upheld. At Green, we are committed to helping clients maintain sovereignty over their data, understanding that secure, compliant data management is a competitive advantage in an AI-driven world.
As Namibian organisations innovate and expand, data security and sovereignty are critical to national and business interests, making local control and compliance more crucial than ever.
*Kehad Snydewel is the managing director of Green Enterprises.
**Opinion pieces and letters by the public do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial team. The editors reserve the right to abridge original texts. All newspapers of Namibia Media Holdings adhere to the Code of Ethics for Namibian Media, a code established jointly with the Media Ombudsman.