European Cloud independence: a matter of Digital Sovereignty in Public Cloud era
In an eye-opening segment on RTL Z, a concerning scenario was presented: with just one push of a button, access to data stored in US-based public cloud services could be severed. Whilst this may sound like a dramatic proposition, recent global events have demonstrated that dependencies on international 'allies' can become problematic overnight.
Both government institutions and businesses across the Netherlands (and Europe) have only recently begun to grasp the precarious position they've manoeuvred themselves into. For many organisations, the vendor lock-in with American public cloud hyperscalers has become so extensive that extracting themselves from these relationships seems daunting, if not impossible. Remarkably, an exit strategy was rarely considered when formulating initial cloud strategies.
The Radio Kootwijk Parallel
The discussion has even sparked talks of transforming the historic Radio Kootwijk into 'Cloud Kootwijk' - a fascinating proposal that would provide the Dutch government with sovereign communication capabilities through a private cloud infrastructure during times of crisis or conflict. This historical parallel is particularly poignant; just as Radio Kootwijk once served as a crucial independent communication link, the need for autonomous digital infrastructure has become increasingly apparent.
Making Informed Choices
For organisations weighing their public cloud options versus private cloud alternatives, the 'Argumentenkaart grote niet-Europese Clouddiensten versus Europese Clouddiensten' (Article in Dutch) provides a comprehensive comparison of European and non-European cloud services. This decision-making tool helps businesses understand the benefits and drawbacks of each choice, particularly in terms of:
Regulatory compliance
Service reliability
European Cloud alternatives
The good news is that European alternatives exist, including robust Dutch solutions. These providers offer comparable services while ensuring data remains within European jurisdiction, protected by EU data protection laws and regulations.
The Open Source Debate
Dutch municipalities and government bodies often state: 'Open-source solutions could theoretically offer an alternative, but communities fear high costs and lack of expertise' (Article in Dutch). However, this raises some pertinent questions: Have these fears been thoroughly investigated? When weighing the costs against the risks of losing control over critical public cloud infrastructure, what truly poses the greater threat?
The initial investment in open-source solutions and private cloud infrastructure might indeed be substantial - requiring expertise development and system setup. However, this should be balanced against the long-term implications of vendor lock-in and dependency on foreign tech giants. When comparing immediate costs versus long-term sovereignty and control, decision-makers must consider:
Looking Ahead
In an era where Europe's influence in global negotiations appears to be waning (as evidenced in Ukraine peace discussions), the importance of digital sovereignty cannot be overstated. While the scenario of complete data access severance might seem extreme, recent geopolitical developments suggest it's a risk that warrants serious consideration.
Are you interested in exploring Dutch or European cloud alternatives? Would you like to understand how to begin migrating from your current cloud provider? Feel free to get in touch to discuss your options.
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