Data sovereignty in the financial sector

Trust is the universal currency in finance. It underpins every transaction and every system that keeps the economy running. Yet as the cloud becomes widely adopted in finance, this trust must now extend to platforms and providers that often operate beyond national borders.

What used to be a technical decision, has now become a question of sovereignty versus dependency. Global tensions and new regulations are reshaping the digital  landscape. Institutions must decide not only where their data and processes reside, but also under whose authority they are governed. Which government, under laws such as the US CLOUD Act (2018), could claim access to it in rare but conceivable circumstances? And how does that shape each institution’s cloud strategy?

This whitepaper explores how financial leaders confront that challenge. Through their perspectives, it reveals a sector in transition, balancing innovation with resilience while navigating growing interdependence. Around the table sat CIOs and IT executives from major banks and financial infrastructure organisations, including Argenta, BNP Paribas Fortis, Euroclear, the European Commission, P&V and Swift.

They all returned to the same question: how can we safeguard trust and resilience in a world of growing digital dependency?

AI has the potential to transform every stage of the pharmaceutical life cycle. Its impact spans from research and development to manufacturing, improving manufacturing through better monitoring. To unlock this potential, the sector needs long-term infrastructure, clear adoption strategies and close collaboration between industry and academia.

These themes were discussed during a recent CIONET x LCL roundtable, where leaders from GSK, Johnson & Johnson and UCB joined the discussion. The session was led by Prof. Stein Aerts, Scientific Director at VIB.AI. His organisation pioneers a new generation of biological research through the integration of machine learning and computational biology.

This whitepaper distils the key insights from the roundtable and makes the case for Belgium to take the lead in housing AI infrastructure that supports life sciences, and safeguards European competitiveness.

From genome sequencing to clinical trials, secure access to high-quality data is critical for pharma and biotech. As artificial intelligence reshapes every stage of the life cycle, robust data governance has become indispensable.

With Europe reinforcing its data and AI regulations, and global powers like the US, China and Russia asserting stronger digital influence, the concept of data sovereignty has come to the forefront. It raises fundamental questions: Who controls the data? Where is it stored, and under whose jurisdiction? And how do we balance scientific openness with privacy, ethics and compliance?

These themes were explored during a recent CIONET x LCL roundtable, where leaders from GSK, Johnson & Johnson and UCB joined the discussion. The session was led by Prof. Stein Aerts, Scientific Director at VIB.AI. His organisation pioneers a new generation of biological research through the integration of machine learning and computational biology.

This whitepaper distils the key insights from the roundtable.

“Every two months a revolution happens in AI”

AI or quantum computing: which is the emerging technology that will disrupt the data center world first? In this episode, we explore the future of our sector with Erik Mannens, Professor and Researcher at Ghent University and the University of Antwerp, and Laurens van Reijen, CEO at LCL Data Centers.

“Right now, AI is top of mind for world leaders. It is considered the next major power player and is evolving at an exceptional pace; every two months a revolution happens in AI,” says Erik Mannens. Laurens van Reijen agrees, adding: “AI itself isn’t new, but its integration into data centers is still in its early stages. The workloads it generates are unlike anything we’ve seen before, marking a true paradigm shift for our industry.”

Both underline the importance of innovation and collaboration: “To stay ahead, we need to innovate, not with brute power but with smart research,” says Laurens. Erik builds on this, “I’ve seen both industry and academia up close, and I can say this with certainty: we need each other. Let’s collaborate and share knowledge so we can shape the future of AI together.”

Tune in for a unique look at the future of our sector, through the eyes of two industry experts. Enjoy the listen!

Beyond compliance: the value of circularity

“It’s all about staying alive,” says Didier Appels, Managing Director at CTG Circular, as we kick off this episode on sustainability and circularity in data centers. And no, he was not talking about the 70s hit song, but about the kind of impact that lasts. “Sustainability carries ecological, economic, and strategic value; it’s about being future-proof and staying resilient for the long haul.”

Didier was joined by Tim Sterckx, Managing Partner at EpicHorizons, for a compelling discussion on how the data center sector can embrace sustainability. Tim agrees the sustainability exercise delivers significant benefits. “Take CSRD reporting, for example. It provides valuable insights, strategic guidance, and a clear framework for action,” he explains. “But at the same time, we’re noticing a sense of documentation fatigue. It’s important that we flip that mindset and focus on the opportunities this process creates.”

In this episode, we discuss communication leadership, regulatory opportunities, green design, and the power of partnerships. Their key takeaway? Use common sense: base your decisions on the capacity you need, not just the device you want.

Tune in for the full conversation and more valuable takeaways on circularity. Enjoy the listen!

Crisis readiness: from theory to practice

Cybersecurity is no longer a niche topic. With regulations like DORA and NIS2, many companies now have roadmaps in place. But how do you make sure these plans hold up when the pressure is on? We spoke with cybersecurity and AI expert Axel Legay, and Fednot CIO Bjorn Van Reet, about putting strategy into practice and integrating the human factor.

“When a crisis hits, your team needs to be trained and ready to act under pressure,” says Axel Legay. “And just as important, someone should be prepared to step forward as a spokesperson to clearly communicate the situation externally. Sharing knowledge, both within your organisation and beyond, is essential.”

Bjorn Van Reet agrees: “No two crises are the same. While practice doesn’t make perfect, it helps your team stay composed when the unexpected happens. Knowledge sharing is crucial, and so is involving the right experts. Keeping everything in-house can create blind spots. External partners, like specialised data centers, bring valuable neutrality and experience to the table.”

In this episode, we also touch on the role of AI, how changing regulations are both a challenge and a catalyst, the value of diverse teams, and the lightning speed of technological evolution. “In computer science, the near future means a few months, not a few years,” says Axel Legay.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on cybersecurity and resilience. Enjoy the listen!

Are you equipped for what’s next?

Cloud, on-premises or hybrid? As digital acceleration continues and compliance requirements grow stricter, choosing the right infrastructure model has become a strategic priority. In this first episode of Data Center Dialogues, we explore hybrid cloud strategy with Tiziano Durante (Cloud Region Lead at Microsoft) and Koen Van Loo (CIO & CDO at Group S).

While hybrid offers a pragmatic bridge between legacy and cloud-native systems, one trend is becoming clear: traditional on-premise data centers will gradually give way to professional, scalable and compliant infrastructure. Or as Tiziano puts it: “The server under the desk is no longer an option. So how can we work together to build the best fit for the company and stay in the fast lane, without making rushed decisions?”

We also dive into lessons learned from past challenges, the growing importance of data sovereignty, and key concepts such as latency and residency.

Tune in for a dynamic and forward-looking discussion on infrastructure decisions. Enjoy the listen!

Sustainability is a challenging yet essential consideration in any data center environment. Within server halls, where power and cooling demands are high, improving efficiency requires both technical measures and behavioural awareness. The good news? Every effort counts, even small changes can make a meaningful difference. Below are five practical tips to help increase energy efficiency in server halls, without compromising performance.

1. Seal empty spaces

Blanking panels are a simple yet highly effective way to reduce energy loss. By closing off unused rack units, cold air is prevented from bypassing equipment. This helps ensure that airflow is directed through active components, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

2. Choose the right equipment

When purchasing new IT equipment, prioritise models that support optimised airflow and can reliably operate at higher temperatures. This enables data centers to raise cold corridor temperatures, within safe limits, resulting in more sustainable operations and lower energy use.

3. Position servers correctly

Proper server placement significantly improves airflow and cooling performance:

• Install high-power devices towards the bottom of the rack.
• Identify racks with the highest power demands to help optimise the positioning of ventilated floor tiles in the cold corridor.
• Seal any open spaces in the rack with blanking panels to prevent airflow leakage.
• Ensure that fans guide cold air through the equipment and out towards the hot corridor.

4. Keep doors and windows closed

Always make sure the roof above the cold corridor is properly closed after cabling or maintenance work. Likewise, make a habit of keeping cold corridor doors properly shut. These simple actions help preserve airflow integrity and maximise cooling efficiency. Regular inspections can also support this by identifying issues before they impact performance.

5. Involve all stakeholders

Improving energy efficiency is not a one-person task. It requires collaboration. Involve all relevant stakeholders, from IT and facilities teams to procurement and external partners. Clear communication and shared guidelines help ensure best practices are applied consistently, from hardware selection to setup and maintenance. A coordinated approach leads to stronger, long-term impact.

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