Your data’s where, exactly? SMEs and data sovereignty

Around 18% of the UK’s SMEs export goods or services, and many more sit inside global supply chains where data moves across borders every day.

This constant movement makes sovereignty, the obligation to store and process data according to jurisdictional rules, an unavoidable reality.

Regulation is tightening. In 2024 and 2025, there were headline enforcement actions on cross-border data transfers, including major fines for Uber and TikTok, underscoring the growing demand for transparency, enhanced safeguards, and lawful transfer frameworks.

Sovereignty is no longer just about compliance; it’s also part of the resilience conversation. The recent AWS outage disrupted UK services, including those of HMRC and major banks, highlighting how issues in the US can impact critical operations in the UK.

The event also ...