Data Sovereignty- Your data, your rules

Why data sovereignty matters now

Did you know that U.S. law can also require access to data stored in Europe? The Cloud Act allows U.S. authorities to request data from U.S. suppliers – even if those servers are located in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the EU. For Dutch organizations, this means a serious compliance and security risk.

Data sovereignty – the principle that your data is subject only to Dutch and European rules – is therefore more important than ever.

At ALTA-ICT, we combine ISO27001-, ISO9001- and NEN7510-certified processes with local expertise, so that Dutch companies really do control their data.

IT Security Check – Prevention is cheaper than cure

What is data sovereignty?

Definition in understandable language
Why the Cloud Act and similar international laws pose a risk
Context: AVG/GDPR, Personal Data Authority, and Dutch data breach notification obligation
Competitive advantage: companies that regulate data sovereignly gain trust from customers and partners
ALTA-ICT perspective: assurance, control and compliance as foundation of digital strategy

How do you implement data sovereignty in the Netherlands?

Step 1: Inventory and risk analysis.

Data mapping, PIA (privacy impact assessments)
Compliance check with AVG and NEN7510

Step 2: Architecture and design

Choice of European cloud providers
DigiD and NORA integration for government
Sector-specific adjustments (healthcare, financial, government)

Step 3: Implementation and migration

Zero-downtime migration to Dutch data centers
Training employees in awareness and processes

Step 4: Monitoring and optimization

24/7 SOC monitoring
Regular audits and updates
ROI measurement: reduced data breach risk, increased customer confidence

Common mistakes and how ALTA-ICT prevents them

Reliance on foreign suppliers → solution: EU-first hosting
Insufficient awareness training → solution: security awareness programs
No clear data classification → solution: data governance framework
Ad hoc approach → solution: certified methodology

ROI and cost savings

Avoiding multi-million dollar fines for AVG violations
Lower legal risks → directly lower costs
Higher customer retention through trust and transparency
Case: SMB customer saved 35% on security incidents after switching

Why ALTA-ICT?

ISO27001, ISO9001, NEN7510
Dutch focus: AVG, DigiD, BIO
Personalized approach, from SMEs to enterprise
Proven track record in healthcare, government and financial sectors

FAQ

Is data in Microsoft 365 sovereign?
No, Microsoft is an American company and therefore subject to the Cloud Act – even if the data is physically located in the Netherlands.

How do I know if my cloud provider is covered by the Cloud Act?
Check the origin of the provider. Is it headquartered in the US? Then the provider is subject to US law.

What does migration to a European cloud cost?
The cost depends on size and complexity, but it is often less than the cost of a data breach or fine. ALTA-ICT offers transparent calculations and ROI calculations.

How quickly can ALTA-ICT implement this?
Depending on the situation, between 2 and 8 weeks – thanks to our zero-downtime migration approach.

What guarantees do I get in terms of compliance?
Our approach is ISO27001, ISO9001 and NEN7510 certified and fully compliant with the AVG and Dutch legislation.

Conclusion

Your data = your rules. Don’t let U.S. laws decide your business information. Choose a sovereign cloud solution built on Dutch and European regulations.

👉 Book a free data sovereignty consultation with ALTA-ICT.