We live in a time when we create, consume and store vast amounts of data on a daily basis. Whether you’re browsing the internet, watching TV or scrolling on social media, the data you generate carries immense value as it reveals all sorts of personal information about your habits and preferences. And that’s exactly why governments – and businesses – are looking for ways to unlock more insights from it.
In early 2024, the European Union introduced new rules around the sharing of data with the aim of driving innovation. The rules give consumers greater control over how their data is used, and at the same time encourage public and private sector organizations to share data between themselves, including industrial data coming from connected objects – known as the internet of things (IoT). The US has put in place similar measures to make data more readily available – all steps in the right direction as the world moves toward data-driven decisions and greater transparency.
Yet, as more data is generated and shared, we make ourselves more vulnerable to security threats. Growing concerns around how sensitive information is used and shared means that public bodies are increasingly asking for solutions to secure data and ensure data sovereignty – whereby data is subject to the laws of the country or region in which it is produced and stored.
One solution gaining prominence is sovereign clouds. These independent cloud systems store data within a specific location and protect it from foreign access, meaning that users can be sure their data complies with all the latest data privacy and security standards. They’re already proving their worth in highly regulated industries such as aerospace and defense and life sciences and healthcare. Now, they’re also fast becoming a way for cities and local bodies to secure their digital transformation.
In conversation with Dassault Systèmes’ Cities and Public Services business consultant Ismail Hamoumi, we discuss the implications of opening up data and how it can be protected within sovereign clouds:
Rules such as the European Data Act and the Data Governance Act intend to support and build trust in data sharing for the benefit of businesses and citizens. What are the advantages of enhanced data sharing across sectors and EU countries?
Open data makes public action more transparent, comprehensible and accessible. By systematizing the exchange and sharing of data between departments and local authorities, open data reduces the time it takes to access and process information, increases the efficiency of processes and, ultimately, improves cities and public services.
This openness also encourages organizations to share more reliable data. How is this having a positive impact for the public sector and citizens?
The result is an overall improvement in the quality of data and databases, providing better analysis tools and more in-depth knowledge of regions. Other benefits include a rising index of confidence in public players and greater citizen involvement, leading to better understanding of local dynamics. The re-use of public data by companies contributes to the development of new products and services and facilitates the emergence of innovative projects that improve the quality of life of local residents.
What are the main concerns the public sector and governments face in terms of data security? What measures do they need in place to protect data and build resilience?
Data security is a fundamental concern, in so far as the current digital transformation is generating a substantial amount of data covering citizens, public services and administrative activities. This data may include sensitive, private information so it must be secured and protected. Cyber security tools and stringent security protocols play a critical role. Organizations also have a duty to make sure their staff properly manage data, are aware of the latest security risks and receive ongoing training.
How do sovereign cloud architectures offer a way for the public sector to adhere to ever-stringent data security regulations and pursue innovation?
Sovereign cloud solutions help public sector bodies secure their data and comply with local and regional regulations. They create an infrastructure that facilitates the management and protection of sensitive data. They also offer clear advantages over the acquisition of costly infrastructures and the provision of maintenance and cyber security services.
How can Dassault Systèmes support cities and public services organizations with their data strategies?
By providing them with an infrastructure like the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud that facilitates data management, product lifecycle management and rights management, Dassault Systèmes gives them guarantees in terms of process robustness, cyber security and the ability to add value to the data they hold. This data is not only aggregated at the platform level but is also made accessible to players in a data-sharing logic, opening up new opportunities for cross-fertilizing and enhancing the information available to them.
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Rebecca Lambert est journaliste et copywriter freelance basée en Grande-Bretagne.