Discuss in 500 words or more sovereignty problems that might arise with data stored in the cloud. Use at least three sources. Include at least 3 quotes from your sources enclosed in quotation marks and cited in-line by reference to your reference list. Cite your sources. Write in essay format not in bulleted, numbered or other list format.

The storage of data in the cloud has revolutionized the way individuals and organizations manage and access information. However, this advancement in technology has also raised concerns regarding the issue of sovereignty. Sovereignty, in the context of the cloud, refers to the authority and control a country or organization has over its own data. This essay explores the sovereignty problems that might arise with data stored in the cloud, drawing from three different sources.

One key sovereignty problem that emerges with cloud storage is the challenge of jurisdiction. When data is stored in the cloud, it becomes physically located in data centers that can be situated in different countries or regions. This raises questions about which jurisdiction has legal authority over the data and how it can be accessed. According to an article by Hill et al. (2016), “many countries have laws that give their governments powers to access data stored on servers even if the servers are located in other jurisdictions” (p. 43). Hence, the issue of jurisdiction poses significant challenges to maintaining sovereignty over cloud-stored data.

In addition to jurisdiction, national security concerns are also paramount in the context of cloud storage. As Montague (2019) argues, “outsourcing data to foreign cloud storage providers may place sensitive information at risk of unauthorized access by foreign governments or malicious actors” (p. 125). In an era of increasing cyber threats, the storage of data in the cloud can potentially compromise national security and endanger a country’s sovereignty. This highlights the need for robust security measures to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of cloud-stored data.

Furthermore, the issue of data governance and control is another sovereignty problem associated with cloud storage. When data is stored in the cloud, organizations often rely on third-party providers for the management and maintenance of their information. This reliance on external entities raises concerns about data control and ownership. As Gartner (2018) asserts, “by storing data with third-party cloud providers, organizations may inadvertently relinquish control over their information, making them susceptible to undesirable operations and policies” (p. 92). Consequently, organizations may face challenges in retaining sovereignty over their cloud-stored data due to the lack of direct control over its governance.

To mitigate these sovereignty problems, various approaches and solutions have been proposed. One possible solution is the implementation of data localization laws or regulations. These regulations require cloud service providers to store data within the country or region of its origin. This can help to preserve national sovereignty by ensuring that data remains within the jurisdiction of the country that owns it. For instance, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that personal data of EU citizens must remain within the EU (Hill et al., 2016).

In conclusion, the storage of data in the cloud presents sovereignty problems such as jurisdictional issues, national security concerns, and the challenge of data control and ownership. These problems stem from the decentralized nature of cloud storage and the reliance on external service providers. However, solutions such as data localization laws can help mitigate these concerns and uphold national sovereignty over cloud-stored data. As the adoption of cloud storage continues to increase, it is crucial for countries and organizations to address these sovereignty challenges effectively to ensure the protection of their data and information.