Data protection and regulation
With our private cloud, all data stays within the Netherlands, which is essential for complying with regulations. It protects your organization against possible foreign access to sensitive data.
Sovereign cloud explained: benefits and choices
Cloud sovereignty is gaining increasing attention in both the business and public sectors. That makes sense because, in a world where data plays a crucial role, the question of who controls your (customer) data becomes increasingly important. In this article, we delve deeper into the basics: what exactly is a sovereign cloud, its benefits, and the challenges it presents.
What is a sovereign cloud?
A sovereign cloud is a cloud where data is 100% independently controlled, managed, and monitored on domestic soil, and one that fully complies with national laws and regulations regarding privacy and data storage. It's about three forms of control: geographical, legal, and operational.
In the Dutch context, this means a cloud solution where:
- Your data remains physically stored on Dutch soil
- Complete control over this data remains in Dutch hands
- All processes comply with Dutch and European legislation (such as the GDPR)
- Foreign governments cannot make legal claims to access your data
The difference between private cloud and sovereign cloud
It might seem like a private cloud and a sovereign cloud are the same thing. That's not necessarily true. A private cloud can be sovereign if implemented within national borders and under national legislation.
Conversely, not every sovereign cloud is necessarily a private cloud- there are also public sovereign cloud solutions used by multiple customers but operating within national borders and legislation.
So there are multiple ways to implement the concept of a 'sovereign cloud.' At TrueFullstaq, for example, we offer various cloud solutions, with our private cloud being completely sovereign by default, but more on that later.
Benefits of sovereign cloud
The sovereign cloud is currently a hot topic: geopolitical developments are driving a structural shift. With political changes in the US, increasing trade conflicts, and growing international tensions, control over data is more critical than ever. That's why there's now so much attention on sovereign clouds. These are the main benefits of a sovereign cloud:
Data privacy and protection
With a sovereign cloud, you can be sure you comply with local privacy legislation. For American organizations, this means complete compliance with relevant data protection laws.
Legal clarity
With a sovereign cloud, there's no doubt about which laws apply to your data. This prevents legal conflicts that can arise when multiple jurisdictions are involved, as can be the case with international cloud providers.
Protection against foreign data access
Sovereign clouds protect against access by foreign governments. For example, your American data in an American sovereign cloud is not subject to laws from other countries that might allow foreign authorities access to data managed by companies based in their countries, regardless of where that data is physically stored.
Strategic autonomy
A sovereign cloud offers strategic independence for governments and crucial sectors such as defense, healthcare, and financial services. It reduces dependence on foreign technology providers.
Challenges of sovereign cloud
Besides the benefits, there are also some challenges associated with sovereign clouds. Sovereign clouds can be more expensive than international public clouds due to their smaller scale and the need to build local infrastructure. Additionally, international providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud often offer a broader range of services due to years of investment in development. Furthermore, a fragmented cloud landscape can emerge if each region develops its own sovereign cloud, creating challenges for internationally operating organizations.
Who is a sovereign cloud a good idea for?
A sovereign cloud is interesting for many different organizations, such as:
- Government institutions managing sensitive national data
- Regulated sectors such as financial services and healthcare
- Critical infrastructure like energy, transportation, and telecommunications
- Companies managing highly sensitive intellectual property
- Organizations with strict compliance requirements around data location and sovereignty
However, some organizations choose a sovereign cloud out of principle. They see the power of big tech and prefer to remain in control themselves.
Private cloud as a practical implementation of sovereignty
What does such a sovereign cloud look like in practice? At TrueFullstaq, we make it easy for you. A private cloud offers a concrete way to achieve cloud sovereignty. Our private cloud solution helps you in various ways:
Better compliance
Our private cloud helps you better meet compliance requirements and regulations, which is essential for sectors such as healthcare and financial services.
Complete control over security
In a private cloud, you have complete control over security protocols and infrastructure. This is crucial in times of geopolitical uncertainty, where the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access must be minimized.
Economic stability and cost management
By choosing a private cloud within the US, you can protect yourself against economic instability and unpredictable foreign trade policies, such as recent import tariffs. This offers long-term stability in cost management.
Flexibility and customization
A private cloud allows you to adapt the IT infrastructure to your specific organizational needs. This is important if you want to optimize your operations while enjoying the benefits of sovereignty.
The future is sovereign
Sovereign clouds give your organization control over your digital infrastructure and data. Yes, there are challenges regarding costs and functionality, but for many companies, the benefits outweigh these: better data privacy, legal clarity, and strategic independence.
What works best varies by organization. It depends on your needs, the sensitivity of your data, and the rules you must follow. For many organizations, a private cloud in a sovereign environment, such as TrueFullstaq, provides the ideal balance between security, compliance, and flexibility.
In times of uncertainty, sovereign cloud solutions offer what many organizations need: certainty. With a private cloud, you have 100% control over where your data is and who can access it – and that's worth its weight in gold in today's digital landscape.
