Companies considering the cloud or an external data center tend to look far beyond the own borders for a solution. Data centers in the US or Asia are glorified, while local or regional solutions are often overlooked. And that’s too bad, because Belgian data centers have many advantages. Below we have summed up the benefits of independent, Belgian data centers.
First of all, there’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of chauvinism. Why do we always look abroad, while there are plenty of excellent and competent data centers right here in Belgium? By opting for a data center in Belgium you are also supporting the local economy, which is good for everyone. Of course, this shouldn’t be the only reason to opt for a Belgian data center.
- What happens when things go wrong?
Companies that partner with data centers abroad often pay insufficient attention to the risks. If the collaboration breaks down and the counter party fails to comply with their contractual obligations, you have little legal leverage.
Defending your legal rights in court must be done in the country where the data center is located. This can be an expensive undertaking, let alone trying to argue your case in a foreign language. Even in the unlikely event that you win the case, going to court will cost you a lot of money and valuable time.
- Privacy regulations
The same applies for privacy regulations, which have become increasingly stringent with the enforcement of GDPR. If you opt for a certified Belgian data center, you can rest assured that you will comply with most information security and privacy laws and regulations. The same cannot be said of data centers abroad.
Some data, such as medical data and patient information, is not even permitted to leave the country. This type of data should be managed and stored in data centers in Belgium. So from a privacy perspective, choosing a Belgium-based data center is very much in your interest.
- Higher connectively for lower costs
Connectivity is a third important reason to choose an outsourced data center. Geographic distance translates to increased latency: the time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to another. Local data centers have built-in redundancy and multiple distribution paths compared to data centers that are located abroad, resulting in high-performance connectivity at a surprisingly low cost price.
