Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its “Digital Sovereignty Pledge” to establish an independent sovereign cloud region in Europe. This initiative is in response to the growing demand for data sovereignty, security, and resilience within the European Union (EU). The goal of the pledge is to ensure that EU customers can benefit from cloud services while maintaining control over their data and digital infrastructure.
Key highlights of AWS’s Digital Sovereignty Pledge include:
1. Data Residency: AWS commits to ensuring that customers’ data will stay within the EU, complying with EU data residency requirements.
2. Security: AWS plans to work closely with EU governments and authorities to enhance the security of its cloud infrastructure and services.
3. Availability and resilience: AWS aims to improve the availability and resilience of its cloud services in Europe to meet the needs of both public and private sector organizations.
4. Data Management: AWS will help customers implement robust data management practices, including encryption and access controls, to enhance data security.
5. Partnering with local ecosystem: AWS will collaborate with local businesses, technology partners, and academic institutions to foster innovation, skill development, and digital transformation within the region.
AWS’s Digital Sovereignty Pledge reflects the increasing importance of data sovereignty and security in the EU, especially with the introduction of initiatives like the European Data Strategy and the Digital Compass. AWS’s commitment to supporting the EU’s digital infrastructure aligns with these strategic efforts.
This initiative aims to address concerns about the control, security, and privacy of data hosted in cloud environments while promoting innovation and economic growth within the EU. As part of the pledge, AWS is investing in local data centers, infrastructure, and talent to deliver on its commitment to digital sovereignty in Europe.
According to the company, the launch of an independent sovereign cloud region in Europe underscores AWS’s dedication to empowering customers to leverage cloud technology while maintaining control over their data, meeting the requirements of data sovereignty and security in the region. Amazon is not the first to create a dedicated independent cloud for Europe, that is in compliance with regulation: Google partnered with T-Systems to offer a sovereign cloud for German organizations; Microsoft launched “cloud for sovereignty” last year and Oracle has launched Sovereign Cloud for EU customers. Digital sovereignty has emerged as a critical issue for companies operating across the EU, driven by regulations such as GDPR and upcoming regulations such as the AI Act and Privacy Shield 2.0.
