The role of data governance in combating cybercrime and promoting digital sovereignty

Abstract

This study examines the role of data governance as a framework for combating cybercrime and enhancing digital sovereignty of states in context of accelerating digital transformation, which has generated increasingly complex and interconnected security challenges. The research assumes that the growing cross-border cybercrime no longer threatens only individuals and institutions, but also undermines national data security, endanger states’ digital sovereignty. Accordingly, it raises questions about how data governance can contribute to reducing cybercrime risks and strengthening digital sovereignty, deconstructing the key conceptual foundations of the topic and analyzing the nature of their interrelation ships. It adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing on a review of relevant academic literature, regulatory documents, and public policies, with particular attention to legal, institutional, and technical dimensions, as well as selected international experiences in data management, cybercrime prevention, and digital sovereignty.The findings indicate that data governance constitutes one of the most effective tools for enhancing cybersecurity and digital sovereignty, as it enables states to regulate data flows, protect data from misuse, and reduce technological dependency. However, its effectiveness ultimately depends on states’ capacity to develop robust digital sovereignty models, modernize digital infrastructure, and enact adaptive legislation that keeps pace with rapid transformations in cyberspace.