Study: Sovereign Cloud still far from widespread use

Foundry/CIO, CSO and Computerwoche, in cooperation with Exoscale, part of A1 Digital, among others, have compiled the study "Sovereign Cloud 2024". In German-speaking countries, 84 percent of companies use cloud services for their business processes. Of these, only 26 percent are already actively using a sovereign cloud, 36 percent have firm plans to implement it, and 22 percent are currently evaluating it. Nevertheless, the advantages are clear: with a sovereign cloud solution, data is processed exclusively in Europe, which guarantees digital sovereignty.

Study Shows: High Satisfaction with Sovereign Cloud Solutions

After all, 88 percent of companies are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their sovereign cloud solution. For medium-sized companies, the satisfaction rate is even as high as 96 percent. The top three reasons for using a sovereign cloud are: increased IT security/data protection (57 percent), independence from commercial cloud providers (39 percent), and higher resilience of business processes and IT operations (38 percent). However, companies also see challenges in implementation, such as high costs (36 percent), complexity of the transition (33 percent), and the lack of/insufficient integration with existing IT systems (33 percent).

Secure Cloud Builds Customer Trust

"Recognized certifications such as BSI C5 or SOC 2 Type 2 are important quality features and help in selecting a sovereign cloud partner. However, companies should also ensure that the partner does not fall under the US CLOUD Act, which allows them to operate workloads redundantly in their own country," explains Mathias Nöbauer, CEO of Exoscale and Director Cloud at A1 Digital.

Beatrix Kemfelja, Head of Center of Expertise / Sales Austria and International at Exoscale, identifies another reason that speaks for the use of a sovereign cloud: "With a sovereign cloud, companies demonstrate that they take the protection and control of their data and compliance with legal frameworks seriously. Handling sensitive information responsibly strengthens reputation. The transparency and control that our sovereign cloud offers over their own data promotes trust among customers and partners."

European Cloud Platform Exoscale Offers Highest Data Protection

A1 Digital, a digitalization expert, offers with its cloud platform Exoscale a solution for companies with the highest demands on data protection, scalability, and user-friendliness. Developed in Switzerland and part of A1 Digital since 2017, the platform offers companies the opportunity to operate their cloud workloads in compliance with the GDPR and without vendor lock-in. With seven data center locations in Europe, Exoscale offers customers maximum flexibility in choosing their cloud infrastructure. The platform is characterized by numerous certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, as well as special certifications for the automotive and healthcare industries. Per-second billing and the ability to flexibly scale resources make Exoscale particularly attractive for companies of all sizes.

The complete report offers deeper insights into the current development of the sovereign cloud.