Europe stands at a crucial crossroads as it navigates two significant influences: the European Union’s desire for digital independence from foreign cloud providers and its desire for access to state-of-the-art cloud technologies. Certain foreign hyperscalers, particularly those based in the United States, provide advanced cloud products and services that European hyperscalers cannot yet match.
It’s never ideal to give foreign entities access to key components of a business. However, many companies want to take advantage of the benefits offered by non-native cloud providers without the potential restrictions imposed by foreign governments on the global distribution and use of those products and services. The situation in Europe may not have a straightforward solution. It requires strategic cloud utilization with improved architectural design considerations.
Keep your data close
The European Union is worried about its reliance on the leading US-based cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These large-scale players hold an unrivaled influence over the cloud sector and manage vital infrastructure essential for driving economies and fostering innovation. European policymakers have raised concerns that their heavy dependence exposes the continent to vulnerabilities, constraints, and geopolitical uncertainties.
