Trust nobody, share everything: Snowflake makes secure data sharing easy

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Many companies struggles with the same problem: data locked away in disconnected systems, scattered across departments or sitting with external partners. Sharing data? That often means copying files, uploading them to clunky portals, or endless discussions about access rights. 

The result? Fragmented information, bad collaboration, and way too much manual effort. Snowflake turns this around. According to Arjan, data should never have to be dragged from A to B. Instead, one platform where you share data securely without it ever leaving your safe environment.

Why sharing data is hard (but critical)

Sharing data isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a trust issue. How do you ensure others see only what they’re allowed to see? How do you prevent sensitive customer data from ending up in the wrong hands?

Meanwhile, the market expects faster insights and collaboration. Think of suppliers needing real-time access to your inventory, or partners working together on joint analyses. Snowflake’s answer? “Trust nobody, share everything.” Never blindly trust but enable secure, controlled sharing of anything you need.

Sharing data without copying (yes, really)

Here’s Snowflake’s secret sauce: data stays where it is. Through Snowflake’s platform, you give others access without them ever holding the data themselves. You decide who gets to see what. And the best part? It works across countries, industries, and partners instantly. No FTP transfers, no endless spreadsheets, just direct access. Even when the data changes daily, Snowflake makes sure everyone always sees the latest version.

Collaborating in- and outside your organization

Inside organizations, usually nobody knows where all the data is. Snowflake fixes that with an internal marketplace where teams can see what data exists, who owns it, and how to use it securely. 

And externally? Think of suppliers, partners, or energy companies needing to exchange data. Arjan shares real-life examples of companies already sharing data with dozens of partners without ever sending Excel files. Everything is controlled, secure, and easy, no more outdated copies or risky transfers.

Trust through smart technology

The magic lies in Snowflake’s governance layer. You control who can see what, down to individual rows or columns. For example, a customer only sees their own data, while an internal team can access everything. 

Arjan also highlights ‘dynamic data masking’: sensitive info like names or contract details are automatically hidden for users who shouldn’t see them. Even when data is shared, it can be masked to only show trends or aggregates, never raw records.

Data clean rooms

What if you want to collaborate, but don’t want to expose your data? Enter Snowflake’s ‘data clean room’, a shared space where you can run analyses together without anyone accessing each other’s raw data. Think of a retailer working with a supplier to analyze customer behavior — without ever exchanging sensitive information. Secure, compliant, and instant.

Monetizing data: turning data into value

Arjan also flips the script: what if your data could make you money? More and more companies are realizing that their data holds value for others. Think of Bol.com or Proximus selling anonymous, aggregated datasets.

With Snowflake, you can do this safely and in control: you decide who can access what, while your data never leaves your platform. As a result, data becomes a revenue stream, not just a cost.