Developments in the Belgian digital economy - Data and Security

Data and Security

Friso Haringsma: This is only the beginning of the data revolution. The amount of data and data applications continues to grow exponentially. For many organizations, safely storing and using that ever-increasing mountain of data remains a challenge. In addition, it is also becoming more complex to extract the interesting information that generates added value for the business. Artificial Intelligence will play an important role in creating that value. We are already experiencing this with ChatGPT, for example.

Xavier Warnier: To extract that interesting information, data and applications must be designed so they can connect with each other. Central to this story is a high-performing interconnectivity in data centers, which will become even more essential in the coming years. Most new software and applications are built in Kubernetes; and deployed and run in edge environments. Retail and logistics are leading the way, but other sectors will certainly follow.

While European regulations put more emphasis on data sovereignty, this is also becoming increasingly important. As an essential part of the European digital economy, data center control and surveillance are on the rise as well.  Organizations need to make sure they jump on the bandwagon. However, the question today is whether companies know where their data is.

Bart Stevens: And whether their data is physically accessible. Local data centers in Belgium are organized on a regional level. If a company is headquartered in Bruges, it may rely on a provider in Oostkamp for its data center. And when the company is located in Brussels or Antwerp, it will turn to a data center from its own region. But if all your data is stored in one place with a hyperscaler, this accessibility is obviously more difficult. Hyperscalers are not organized for that.

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