European Digital Sovereignty and Amazon Web Services

The topic of European digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly important in the context of corporate governance for cloud services.

What does European Digital Sovereignty mean?

European Digital Sovereignty essentially means maintaining control and autonomy over one’s own digital data and technologies. For Europe, this includes several important aspects:

• Firstly, it is about data security and privacy, which means that personal data of European citizens must be stored and processed according to the strict standards of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
• Secondly, independence is crucial. Europe must reduce its dependence on individual players or countries to keep the digital infrastructure open and accessible. This includes the reduction of proprietary interfaces and formats.
• Thirdly, technological development and innovation is essential. Europe should promote domestic technologies and companies to remain competitive and drive innovation.

The role of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the context of European Digital Sovereignty

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the largest and best-known providers of cloud computing services in the world. AWS offers a wide range of services, including computing power, storage, databases and other cloud solutions that are indispensable for companies of all sizes. But how does AWS fit into the concept of European Digital Sovereignty?

AWS has made considerable efforts in recent years to meet the requirements of European Digital Sovereignty. This can be seen in various aspects:

• Regional data centers: AWS operates several data centers in Europe, including in Germany, France, Ireland and other countries. These local data centers allow European companies to store and process their data within the EU, making it easier to comply with the GDPR.
• Compliance and certifications: AWS meets a variety of European compliance standards and holds relevant certifications, such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and GDPR compliance.
• Collaboration with local partners: AWS works closely with European partners to develop and implement customized solutions for the European market. Learn more
• Specialized services for public institutions: AWS offers specialized cloud solutions for government agencies and other public institutions in Europe to meet their specific security and privacy requirements.

Introduction of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud

AWS plans to invest 7.8 billion euros in a new, independent cloud for Europe. The first region of the AWS European Sovereign Cloud is to be put into operation in Brandenburg by the end of 2025.

This cloud infrastructure will be specifically tailored to the needs of public organizations and highly regulated industries to meet Europe’s digital sovereignty requirements.

The integration of AWS into the concept of European Digital Sovereignty brings several advantages for users in Europe:

• Firstly, the increased data security ensures that data can be stored and processed within Europe, which significantly improves the protection of sensitive information. This gives users more confidence in the security of their data.
• Secondly, the integration of AWS into the concept of European Digital Sovereignty enables legal compliance and therefore easier compliance with European data protection laws and standards. By aligning AWS with these requirements, companies in Europe can ensure that they are legally compliant and avoid heavy fines.
• Thirdly, access to innovative technologies offers European companies the opportunity to benefit from AWS’ advanced technologies and services without having to sacrifice the security and sovereignty of their data. This strengthens the competitiveness and innovative power of European companies.

Conclusion

European Digital Sovereignty is an important step in maintaining control over digital data and technologies. Amazon Web Services plays an essential role in supporting this transition by providing services and infrastructure that meet high European standards. For users in Europe, this means more security, legal compliance and access to innovative technologies, ultimately contributing to a stronger and independent digital Europe.
Further information can be found on the official AWS website European Digital Sovereignty.