A secure IT infrastructure implies architecting with an emphasis on data protection, risk management, resilience, and data sovereignty, welcoming the inevitability of disruptive transformations.
This framework provides solid support for companies looking to capitalize on innovations arising from the digital age, enabling harmonization of business functions to orchestrate the desired results.
In practical terms, CEOs and IT leaders who incorporate data protection to address ongoing disruptions in the business landscape make their organizations more robust and sustainable, contributing significantly to their overall business growth.
As reported by
Gartner Management Board report
69% of corporate directors aim to accelerate digital strategies and projects to cope with these constant disruptions.
For some companies, this represents the realization of their digital strategies for the first time; for others, it signals the need to quickly step up digital investments aimed at the high availability of their technological architecture, including data use and protection.
Digital strategies are a natural evolution of day-to-day organizational life. These strategies allow companies to seek the security and agility demanded by the current market.
Data Sovereignty: organizational resilience with data protection
An organization’s ability to withstand and recover from adversity is a function of its data sovereignty.
Basically, data sovereignty refers to the concept that data is subject to the laws of the country in which it is located. In an organizational context, data sovereignty refers to the right and ability of an organization to maintain and control access to and use of its own data.
This sovereignty encompasses an organization’s ability to keep its data safe, secure, and private, in compliance with local and international regulations, regardless of where the data is stored – whether on local servers or in data clouds located anywhere in the world.
In an age where data is increasingly digitized and globalized, data sovereignty is a crucial aspect of data management and information security.
The companies that have sovereignty over their data are better equipped to protect the privacy of their customers’ data, prevent data breaches, and comply with data protection regulations such as Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Business Resilience through Data Protection
‘Resilience’ refers to an organization’s ability to prepare for and adapt to changes in adverse conditions, recovering quickly from disruptions. This involves resisting and recovering from deliberate attacks, accidents, threats, or natural incidents.
However, this ability to excel is not a phenomenon that occurs by itself in data security and protection or in any other aspect. Careful planning and management is required, and so continuity of operations should be on the agenda of virtually every company.
Briefly, operational environment recovery covers the standardized management of all processes aimed at identifying and mitigating risks that threaten an organization.
Such risks can include disruptions in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) continuity, cyber attacks, consumer demands, market changes, regulatory compliance requirements, and even pandemics, as evidenced by Covid-19.
To achieve Data Sovereignty, start with Risk Management
Data security, regulatory compliance, continuity, and risk management are inextricably linked. They work together to protect companies against interruptions.
However, risk management should always be the starting point for identifying potential threats and then creating controls capable of managing them.
However, risk management does not completely eliminate all threats. It needs to be complemented by continuity management to ensure that organizations plan for contingencies, such as selecting alternative suppliers of goods and services.
Achieving integrity based on Data Sovereignty requires careful planning of company operations to ensure that they are flexible enough to adapt to market changes, and that continuity of technology use is guaranteed.
This includes focused planning and management of the data protection strategy, and a comprehensive risk assessment in the form of a business impact analysis.
Ensure Organizational Flexibility through the Use of Technology and Innovation
Rigid organizations that cannot adapt flexibly will face challenges in any crisis. Traditional organizational structures, inefficient communication, underfunded IT, lack of digitization, and inflexible management processes are real obstacles in challenging times.
Instead, make sure that employees and managers have the ability to take action in any situation and that communication is transparent.
In addition, it is crucial that there is a culture of honest feedback, IT is focused on data protection, employees are well trained, and processes are digitized assertively.
In other words, comprehensively prepare for a crisis by adapting your business model and processes, investments, and IT operations to be more resilient in protecting your data
Then make sure that the technology department fully understands what keeps the production environment running. Seek deeper alignment of activities and IT. In addition, it is crucial that investments focus on continuity, collaboration, and self-service.
Also plan how operations will function during a crisis
Identify potential risks and plan how to address them. Create an emergency plan and establish a command structure for incidents. Ensure that everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are in different crisis scenarios.
Some key points to consider when creating an emergency plan include:
- Provision of a business continuity plan that complies with industry regulations.
- Creating a map of critical processes and functions that need to be maintained in case of emergency.
- Designation of an emergency response leader.
- Training and preparation of staff to deal with emergencies, including the execution of practical exercises.
Finally, ensure that employees are trained to handle crisis situations, communication is transparent, and the feedback culture is strong. It is also crucial to ensure adequate investment in IT, with a focus on data sovereignty, and the digitalization of processes.
Data Sovereignty as the backbone of business
In a world where data sovereignty is becoming increasingly crucial, companies must have absolute control over their data. Thus, we ensure that we handle, process and store them securely, in full compliance with current legislation.
In short, corporate data sovereignty and data protection are convergent. They are considered keywords that define the resilience of an organization in the face of technological trends and risks.
Adopting a comprehensive and well-planned approach to data sovereignty and protection can shape the strategy of organizations. This approach helps organizations thrive in the uncertain and ever-changing future of the digital business environment.
About Eval
With a track record of leadership and innovation dating back to 2004, Eval not only keeps up with technological trends, but we are also in an incessant quest to bring news by offering solutions and services that make a difference to people’s lives.
With market recognized value, Eval’s solutions and services meet the highest regulatory standards for public and private organizations, such as SBIS, ITI, PCI DSS, and LGPD. In practice, we promote information security and compliance, increase companies’ operational efficiency, and reduce costs.
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Written by Arnaldo Miranda, Evaldo. Ai, reviewed by Marcelo Tiziano and designed by Caio.
