The Geo-Legal Access Risk Score (GLARS) is a comprehensive metric developed to quantify jurisdictional risks associated with data storage, processing, and transfer. GLARS evaluates legal frameworks, government access powers, and geopolitical factors to provide an objective risk assessment.
The GLARS score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater jurisdictional risk:
The GLARS score is calculated based on seven critical components, each measuring a different aspect of jurisdictional risk:
Measures the independence and effectiveness of judicial controls on government data access. Lower scores indicate stronger judicial safeguards.
Evaluates the scope and limitations of government agencies' authority to access private data, including national security exceptions.
Assesses mandatory technical measures like encryption backdoors, key escrow, or local data storage requirements.
Measures how aggressively a jurisdiction extends its legal reach beyond its borders to access data stored elsewhere.
Evaluates public visibility into government data requests, including reporting requirements and notification processes.
Assesses how international embargoes affect data flows and service provision in the jurisdiction.
Measures the impact of international sanctions on data processing and transfer capabilities.
The GLARS score is calculated using a weighted average of component scores:
Where:
Evaluates the legal structures governing data access, considering:
Assesses restrictions on data flows due to international trade restrictions:
Evaluates the impact of international sanctions on data processing:
GLARS components are calculated using a combination of:
Our methodology is continuously refined to incorporate the latest legal developments and international relations changes that impact data governance.