Businesses across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are increasingly prioritising digital sovereignty, with a new survey by Expereo and IDC revealing that over half of these organisations are seeking greater control over sensitive and strategic data. The survey highlights that 43% of APAC companies consider digital sovereignty a primary driver for technology investment, compared to 30% globally.
The findings underscore a growing demand for visibility and control over data across cloud, AI, and connectivity environments. This trend is driven by the need to navigate cross-border operations and comply with evolving regulatory requirements. Eric Wong, President of Expereo Asia Pacific, noted, “There is no single path to digital sovereignty across Asia Pacific. Businesses are navigating very different regulatory environments, cross-border data requirements, and geopolitical risks.”
The survey also indicates that 60% of APAC organisations not yet using AI cite security, data privacy, compliance, or digital sovereignty concerns as significant barriers to adoption. Furthermore, 54% of technology leaders in the region view new security risks as a potential consequence of AI use.
As AI adoption accelerates, the network’s role in managing complexity and enabling confident operations across the region becomes crucial. Wong added, “At Expereo, we help multinational businesses design and manage global connectivity around their regional, regulatory, and operational needs.”
The report highlights the commercial and regulatory pressures driving this shift, with 16% of APAC organisations citing customer or partner demands for data localisation as a key influence, compared to 22% globally. This emphasis on digital sovereignty is expected to shape technology strategies in the region significantly.
