Knowledge base
September 06, 2025
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.
What is data sovereignty?
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Definition in understandable language
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Why the Cloud Act and similar international laws pose a risk
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Context: AVG/GDPR, Personal Data Authority, and Dutch data breach notification obligation
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Competitive advantage: companies that regulate data sovereignly gain trust from customers and partners
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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.
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Data mapping, PIA (privacy impact assessments)
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Compliance check with AVG and NEN7510
Step 2: Architecture and design
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Choice of European cloud providers
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DigiD and NORA integration for government
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Sector-specific adjustments (healthcare, financial, government)
Step 3: Implementation and migration
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Zero-downtime migration to Dutch data centers
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Training employees in awareness and processes
Step 4: Monitoring and optimization
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24/7 SOC monitoring
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Regular audits and updates
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ROI measurement: reduced data breach risk, increased customer confidence
Common mistakes and how ALTA-ICT prevents them
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Reliance on foreign suppliers → solution: EU-first hosting
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Insufficient awareness training → solution: security awareness programs
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No clear data classification → solution: data governance framework
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Ad hoc approach → solution: certified methodology
ROI and cost savings
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Avoiding multi-million dollar fines for AVG violations
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Lower legal risks → directly lower costs
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Higher customer retention through trust and transparency
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Case: SMB customer saved 35% on security incidents after switching
Why ALTA-ICT?
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ISO27001, ISO9001, NEN7510
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Dutch focus: AVG, DigiD, BIO
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Personalized approach, from SMEs to enterprise
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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.
Reference
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