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Cloud Storage
Object Storage

How to Select the Best Object Storage for Hornetsecurity in Europe

13.10.2025

11

Minutes
Thomas Demoor
CTO Impossible Cloud
A 2025 guide to achieving digital sovereignty, predictable costs, and ransomware resilience for your Hornetsecurity backups with S3-compatible storage.

For IT leaders using Hornetsecurity, securing a backup storage location in Europe is more than a technical choice-it's a strategic mandate. You need a solution that guarantees GDPR compliance and EU data residency, offers full S3-API compatibility for seamless integration, and provides a cost structure that is 100% predictable. The rise of regulations like the NIS-2 Directive and the EU Data Act adds urgency, demanding storage that is not only secure but also sovereign by design. This guide outlines how to find the best object storage for Hornetsecurity in Europe, focusing on eliminating regulatory risks and achieving financial clarity.

Key Takeaways

  • True digital sovereignty for Hornetsecurity backups requires an EU-owned and operated storage provider to eliminate exposure to foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act.
  • Full S3-compatibility with Object Lock is non-negotiable for enabling immutable backups, which are essential for effective ransomware protection.
  • A predictable cost model with zero egress or API fees is critical for managing backup storage budgets, especially for MSPs and enterprises with large data volumes.

Align Storage with EU Sovereignty Mandates

European enterprises now demand data sovereignty for critical infrastructure. Storing Hornetsecurity backups requires a provider immune to foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act. A truly European provider ensures your data is governed exclusively by EU law. This eliminates the legal conflict where a US-based provider could be compelled to surrender EU data. Choosing an EU-owned and operated cloud guarantees your data remains under European jurisdiction. This jurisdictional clarity is the foundation of a resilient data strategy for 2025 and beyond.

Prioritize Full S3 Compatibility for Seamless Integration

Hornetsecurity VM Backup leverages the S3 API for offsite copies. Your chosen storage must offer more than basic S3 operations for 100% reliability. It needs to support advanced features like Object Lock for immutable backups. Full compatibility ensures your existing backup scripts and tools work without any code rewrites. This protects your investment in established workflows and minimizes migration risks. A fully compatible Hornetsecurity storage solution avoids the operational friction that plagues partial integrations. This focus on seamless operation prepares your infrastructure for future demands.

Implement Immutable Storage to Neutralize Ransomware Threats

Ransomware attacks will impact an estimated 75% of IT organizations by 2025. Immutable backups, using S3 Object Lock, create a version of your data that cannot be altered or deleted. This Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) model is your last line of defense. Even if attackers gain administrative access, they cannot encrypt your immutable Hornetsecurity backups. This capability is critical for a robust 3-2-1 backup strategy. It ensures you can always restore a clean copy of your data without paying a ransom. This moves your backup strategy from reactive to resilient.

Adopt a Predictable Cost Model Without Egress Fees

Many cloud providers impose high egress fees for data retrieval, creating budget uncertainty. These hidden API call costs and retrieval charges can inflate your total cost of ownership by over 50%. A predictable pricing model with zero egress fees changes the equation entirely. This approach offers clear financial advantages for MSPs and enterprises managing large backup volumes. You gain the freedom to access your data as needed without financial penalties. This transparent economic model is a core tenet of the best S3 storage providers in Europe. It allows for accurate budget forecasting and builds a sustainable financial framework.

Choose an 'Always-Hot' Architecture Over Complex Tiering

Traditional cloud storage uses complex tiers like hot, cool, and cold storage. These tiers introduce delays and fees during urgent data restores, with retrieval taking hours. An 'Always-Hot' storage model ensures all your Hornetsecurity backup data is immediately accessible. This eliminates the operational complexity of managing lifecycle policies and avoids API timeouts. Every file, from the most recent backup to a 10-year-old archive, is available instantly. This simplifies your disaster recovery plan and guarantees your third-party tools remain stable. This architectural choice directly impacts your operational readiness.

Ensure Compliance with Upcoming EU Regulations

New EU laws demand a higher standard for data management and security. The EU Data Act, applying from September 2025, mandates data portability to prevent vendor lock-in. The NIS-2 Directive requires stricter cybersecurity measures, including supply-chain assurance and incident reporting within 24 hours. Your storage provider must be compliant by design to reduce your risk. Here is a checklist for regulatory readiness:

  • Operates exclusively in certified EU data centers.
  • Offers country-level geofencing to meet sovereign S3 object storage needs.
  • Provides transparent data export capabilities, including all metadata.
  • Maintains robust patch and vulnerability management processes under NIS-2.
  • Guarantees data remains under EU legal control, free from foreign access requests.

This proactive compliance posture turns regulatory burdens into a competitive advantage.

Leverage a Partner-Ready Platform for Scalable Services

For Managed Service Providers, the right storage partner drives profitability and simplifies operations. A platform designed for the channel provides key features for growth. These tools are essential for delivering efficient Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) offerings. Here are the core components of a partner-ready solution:

  1. A multi-tenant console for managing multiple clients securely.
  2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and MFA for granular security.
  3. Full automation capabilities via API and CLI for streamlined workflows.
  4. Predictable margins guaranteed by a zero-egress-fee pricing model.
  5. Fast onboarding processes that take minutes, not days.
  6. Local access through distributors like api in Germany and Northamber plc in the UK.

This focus on the channel ecosystem enables MSPs to build defensible and profitable services around immutable backup storage.

Execute a Seamless Migration and Configuration

Transitioning your Hornetsecurity backups to a new S3-compatible object storage provider is straightforward with the right plan. The process involves just a few key steps to ensure zero disruption. First, create a new bucket in your provider's console, ensuring Object Lock is enabled for immutability. Next, generate a new Access Key ID and Secret Access Key for authentication. Within the Hornetsecurity VM Backup console, add this new account as an offsite backup location. You can then assign it as a target for your backup copies with just 2 clicks. This simple process ensures your data is protected in a sovereign, cost-effective environment. A successful migration is the final step toward optimized data protection.

Conclusion: Secure Your Hornetsecurity Backups with a Sovereign Cloud

Selecting the best object storage for Hornetsecurity in Europe requires a modern approach. It prioritizes digital sovereignty, ransomware resilience, and cost predictability over legacy solutions. An EU-based, S3-compatible provider with an 'Always-Hot' architecture and zero egress fees meets these modern demands. This strategy not only secures your data but also aligns your operations with EU regulations. It provides a foundation for resilient and compliant data protection. Ready to make the switch? Talk to an expert to design your sovereign storage strategy.

FAQ

Is storage in an EU data center enough for GDPR compliance?

No, simply using an EU data center is not enough if the provider is headquartered in a non-EU country like the US. The US CLOUD Act can compel US-based companies to provide data to US authorities, regardless of where it is stored, creating a direct conflict with GDPR. A truly compliant solution must be from an EU-owned and operated provider.


What is 'Always-Hot' storage and how does it benefit backups?

'Always-Hot' storage means all data is immediately accessible without any delays or retrieval fees associated with moving data from 'cold' or 'archive' tiers. For backups, this is critical as it ensures rapid restores during a disaster recovery event, minimizing downtime.


How does Impossible Cloud align with the EU Data Act?

Impossible Cloud's model aligns with the EU Data Act's goal of preventing vendor lock-in. By using the standard S3 API and charging no egress fees, we ensure customers have full control and portability of their data, making it simple to switch providers as required by the regulation effective from September 2025.


Can I use my existing Hornetsecurity setup with Impossible Cloud?

Yes. Impossible Cloud offers full S3-API compatibility, meaning it integrates seamlessly as an offsite backup location for Hornetsecurity VM Backup. Your existing tools, scripts, and workflows will continue to operate without any need for modification.


What makes a storage solution 'partner-ready' for MSPs?

A partner-ready solution offers features specifically for MSPs, including a multi-tenant management console, RBAC and MFA for security, API/CLI for automation, and a predictable pricing model (like zero egress fees) that allows for stable, defensible margins on BaaS and archiving services.


How does geofencing enhance data sovereignty?

Geofencing allows you to restrict your data storage to specific countries or regions. For businesses in regulated industries, this provides an extra layer of assurance that data will never leave a predefined geographical boundary, helping to meet strict national data residency and sovereignty requirements.


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