Safeguard Digital Sovereignty in the Public Cloud

Navigating Sovereignty in a Geopolitical Context

Geopolitical developments have heightened concerns about Europe’s dependence on American cloud providers. Policymakers and organizations alike worry about data privacy and strategic autonomy. Yet, with realistic risk assessments and the right safeguards, digital sovereignty can be achieved, even on platforms operated by U.S. hyperscalers.

Why Digital Sovereignty Matters

Digital sovereignty has been under scrutiny since the rise of public cloud services. “In Europe, we attach great importance to data privacy,” says Jeroen van der Leer, Principal Cloud Strategy Consultant at Xebia. “Under GDPR, companies are required to secure sensitive data adequately. Storing data with American providers means exposure to U.S. legislation, which may have consequences.”

The sovereignty debate centers on two issues:

• Privacy Protection: the risk of U.S. authorities gaining access to European data.
• Business Continuity: the possibility of restricted access to platforms if geopolitical tensions escalate.

Practical Measures in the Public Cloud

Organizations often question whether European providers are the only safe choice.

For example, Xebia supports clients in leveraging AWS Key Management System (KMS) with customer-managed or external keys. This ensures organizations retain full control over encryption and decryption, providing CISOs with layered security options to meet compliance and sovereignty requirements.

While advanced safeguards can be complex and costly, Xebia helps clients strike the right balance: understanding risks, developing scenarios, and building pragmatic action plans. Measures may range from enhanced encryption to exit strategies with European cloud providers or sovereign services offered by hyperscalers themselves.

Collaboration and Confidence

“We embark on this journey together with the client,” notes Conijn. “CISOs know the laws and regulations their organization must meet. Together, we determine which measures are sufficient for digital sovereignty. This collaboration gives clients confidence that everything is handled properly.”

Xebia’s Authority in Digital Sovereignty

Xebia’s authority comes from hands-on experience with clients that have demanding requirements for privacy, intellectual property, and continuity. For these clients, Xebia has designed solutions that balance compliance, security, and operational resilience.

Recognition of this expertise is reflected in Xebia’s AWS Digital Sovereignty Competency Partner designation, a validation of its proven ability to help clients meet sovereignty requirements through secure landing zones, advanced encryption, and more.

Looking ahead, Xebia is working with AWS as a launch partner for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud, guiding the first organizations in adopting this new platform. “Hyperscalers are not standing still,” says Van der Leer. “They are introducing EU-based legal structures and processing safeguards to ensure compliance, privacy, and continuity without compromising functionality.”

Staying Ahead of Regulation

As digital sovereignty continues to evolve, so does legislation. Xebia ensures clients stay ahead by monitoring developments, adapting architectures, and continuously advising on new compliance requirements.

In an era where sovereignty and innovation must go hand in hand, Xebia empowers organizations to embrace the public cloud with confidence.

Featured photo by Daan (Wonderworks)