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WHY DATA SOVEREIGNTY IS THE SMART CHOICE FOR UK SMES
Data sovereignty is a hot topic at the moment. With the geopolitical tensions companies are facing currently, it begs the question of where is it safe to keep your data? Rupert Bedell, Managing Director at Fasthosts, discusses how having UK-based infrastructure enables businesses to stay compliant, protected and in control of their data, rather than hosting sensitive business and customer information overseas.
N THE UK, the small business
I community is a driving force behind economic growth, innovation and local employment. In fact, as of 2024, small businesses were responsible for creating 300,000 new jobs. With customer expectations and online competition at an all-time high, the underlying structure that supports these businesses has never been more critical.
Within this underlying structure, every change, improvement or even daily operation significantly impacts a small business’ s most indispensable asset: data. This extends from reliable hosting, robust security and effective analytics to essential technology upgrades and expert support. While ensuring website speed and security is crucial for maintaining customer trust, the secure storage of this data must be the paramount priority.
With growing concerns around data sovereignty and the risks of hosting sensitive business and customer information overseas, having UK-based infrastructure enables businesses to stay compliant, protected and in control of their data. For forward-thinking UK SMEs, data sovereignty is no longer just a compliance checkbox – it’ s a competitive advantage in an increasingly unstable digital world.
The geopolitical climate and the impact on data decisions
Today’ s geopolitical climate is causing businesses to reconsider where they store their data. The growing uncertainty currently in the US, shaped by the rapid geopolitical realignment and influx of tariffs, has put the spotlight on supply chain decisions, with data hosting now taking centre stage. This rising uncertainty and distrust has led many European companies to question the safety, security and cost efficiency of hosting data on US soil.
Since the US Cloud Act’ s introduction in 2018, significant concerns have been raised
Rupert Bedell, Managing Director, Fasthosts
Intelligent SME. tech
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