News
Back in 2020, the European Parliament published a briefing paper which set out “growing concern that the citizens, businesses and Member States of the European Union (EU) are gradually losing control over their data, over their capacity for innovation, and over their ability to shape and enforce legislation in the digital environment.”
At the heart of the matter is the domination that the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and Google have established over the European cloud computing market. One of the effects of their success is that the region now faces significant challenges in ensuring data is subject to the laws and governance structures of the country or region in which it is collected, stored or processed.
For organizations based in the EU hosting their data with providers based elsewhere, this raises serious questions about who ultimately has jurisdiction over that data and whether it can be governed by foreign legal frameworks beyond their control.
Let’s also be clear - the market-leading hyperscalers offer efficiency, scale and a whole host of other compelling advantages. They are all highly innovative, trusted providers that have transformed how businesses operate and have enabled extraordinary digital progress at speed and scale.
Thousands of European organizations rely on – and will continue to rely on – these brands for good reason. At the same time, however, it’s also vital that organizations understand that where they store their data, and under whose jurisdiction it falls, carries implications far beyond IT.
Whether viewed through a political, economic, or operational lens, data sovereignty matters. In some scenarios, it can shape access rights, trigger regulatory obligations or even expose organizations to geopolitical risk.
For example, laws in one country could compel a cloud provider to share data stored in another, an issue that’s been flagged in relation to executive powers and national security mandates at the disposal of foreign governments.
So, how is the landscape changing? Firstly, there are a number of promising European cloud initiatives, including regulatory developments, sovereign cloud frameworks and consortium-based models designed to create local alternatives to the all-in-one hyperscaler stack. However, these solutions are not without their challenges, with cost, fragmentation, scalability and adoption hurdles potentially standing in the way of an effective regional system.
For many organizations, a full switch isn’t viable due to issues such as existing investment commitments, operational complexity and the simple absence of mature, like-for-like alternatives that can match the scale and capabilities of established providers.
The US hyperscalers are also getting in on the act. This time last year, for instance, AWS announced plans to invest €7.8 billion in the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, an initiative which the company says reinforces its “commitment to offer customers the most advanced set of sovereignty controls, privacy safeguards, and security features available in the cloud.”
How this plays out remains to be seen, but whatever route organizations favor in the pursuit of data sovereignty, access to choice and autonomy over where their data is stored is likely to grow in importance as time passes.
The role of intelligent data managementFor European organizations in this position, and there are many, the good news is that they don’t need to wait for systemic changes in the cloud landscape to start regaining control. Data sovereignty can be addressed today through the implementation of modern, vendor-neutral data management technologies, which enable them to visualize their entire data landscape and apply consistent policies across disparate storage environments.
Armed with a unified view of their data across cloud and on-premises environments, organizations can then make informed choices about what data to store, where to store it and how best to safeguard it.
The obvious starting point is visibility because, without knowing what data exists, where it resides and how it moves, businesses are flying blind. This is particularly significant and challenging in contemporary multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, where data can be extremely fragmented, often with little consistency or oversight.
But by establishing a clear picture of all data assets, classifying them based on sensitivity and business value and ensuring local copies of critical data are always available, IT management can also enforce policies that align with governance and regulatory requirements.
In the end, this is not just a technology and geography issue; it goes much deeper to cover everything from business resilience and compliance to control and, ultimately, customer trust. Europe’s digital future will depend not only on where its data lives, but on who can access it, govern it and protect it.
As the European Parliament data sovereignty briefing concludes, “Building a secure pan-European data framework and adopting new standards and practices to provide trustworthy and controllable digital products and services would ensure a safer digital environment.”
We list the best cloud storage.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
The UK government just announced £187 million for the TechFirst initiative to embed digital and AI skills in classrooms and communities. It's a smart move that will pay dividends in the long run. But here's the problem — we can't wait 10 years for today's secondary school students to join the workforce.
Right now, businesses are grappling with AI disruption and cybersecurity threats that demand immediate attention. Our research shows that while 44% of professionals report their organizations have invested in AI, many employees lack adequate skills to use these tools effectively. That's a recipe for wasted investment and security vulnerabilities.
The gap becomes particularly dangerous when you consider how threats are evolving. Many office workers don't know that advanced AI can impersonate anyone's voice, putting companies at serious risk from social engineering attacks. At this point, nearly one in three security and IT professionals have no documented strategy for managing generative AI risks.
Starting in schools is absolutely the right foundation. But we need to build on that foundation with programs that reach everyone from recent graduates to senior executives.
Getting current workers up to speedThe TechFirst initiative includes four strands — youth, graduate, expert and local. That's encouraging because it acknowledges we need different approaches for different groups. But the real test will be how well these programs connect with each other and with what businesses are already doing.
Companies can't outsource digital skills development to government programs alone. They need to take ownership of getting their teams ready for an AI-powered workplace. This means practical training that goes further than basic digital literacy, addressing real security risks and productivity opportunities.
It’s far too common for organizations to rush to implement new AI tools without considering whether their people know how to use them appropriately. The result is often disappointing returns on technology investments and unnecessary exposure to cyber threats.
Making education relevant to workTo make an impact, skills programs must connect classroom learning with actual business challenges. Students need exposure to real workplace scenarios, not just theoretical concepts. This means tech companies should work directly with schools and universities to provide hands-on experience opportunities.
However, we also need to consider regional differences. Digital literacy levels vary significantly across the UK, and a program that works in London might not be right for smaller cities or rural areas. The TechFirst initiative's local strand recognizes this reality, but success will depend on strong partnerships between government, education and local businesses.
Industry networks can help tailor programs to what companies actually need. Too often, educational qualifications don't match up with workplace requirements because there's no ongoing dialogue between educators and employers.
Cultivating skills that lastAs AI automates routine tasks, workers need to develop capabilities that complement rather than compete with technology. Critical thinking, complex problem-solving and the ability to work alongside AI systems are emerging as more valuable than the ability to memorize technical procedures.
This requires a different approach to professional development. Instead of occasional training courses, organizations need cultures where people continuously update their skills. The pace of change in AI and cybersecurity means what you learned six months ago might already be outdated.
Different people learn differently, too. Some thrive with online courses, others need hands-on projects or peer mentoring. The best upskilling programs offer multiple ways to build competence and confidence with new technologies.
Connecting the dotsFragmentation is arguably the biggest risk with any large-scale skills initiative. Government programs, university courses and corporate training often operate independently, creating gaps and duplicated effort. Coordination between all these moving parts is a critical part of ensuring success.
This means sharing resources, aligning what gets taught and ensuring smooth transitions between different types of learning. A student who develops AI skills through TechYouth should be able to build on that foundation in university and then in their first job without starting from scratch each time.
Companies should also recognize their role in making these connections work. Hiring managers need to understand what different qualifications actually mean. Training departments should build on skills people already have rather than ignoring previous learning.
What success looks likeGetting this right means creating learning pathways that support people throughout their careers, not just at specific points. It means businesses that can confidently deploy new technologies because their teams understand both the opportunities and the risks.
Most importantly, it means a UK workforce that can compete globally in an increasingly digital economy. The £187 million TechFirst investment provides a strong starting point, but realizing its potential requires recognizing that skills development doesn't end when people leave school.
We need programs that work for 16-year-olds choosing their A-levels, 25-year-olds starting their careers, 40-year-olds managing teams and 55-year-olds adapting to new technologies. Only by addressing skills gaps across all these groups can we build the digitally resilient economy Britain needs.
Taking a comprehensive approach — supporting both future and current workers — can multiply the impact of this investment. With cyber threats evolving daily and AI capabilities advancing monthly, connecting these efforts across all age groups delivers much stronger returns.
We list the best online learning platforms.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro