Establish Digital Sovereignty to Mitigate CLOUD Act Risks

For European MSPs, the US CLOUD Act presents a direct conflict with GDPR, as it allows US authorities to demand data from American companies, even when it is stored in EU data centers. This jurisdictional overreach undermines the core principles of EU data sovereignty. Storing data with a provider subject to US law means full GDPR compliance cannot be guaranteed. A truly European provider eliminates this conflict entirely by operating exclusively under EU law. Choosing a 100% European-owned and operated cloud ensures that client backup data remains shielded from foreign legal demands. This sovereign-by-design approach is the only way to offer clients complete legal certainty for their most sensitive information.

Meet GDPR Mandates with Geofenced, Immutable Storage

GDPR requires that personal data is processed securely, protecting it from loss, damage, or unauthorized access. A key part of this is ensuring data can be quickly restored after an incident, a requirement under Article 32. Using the most compliant cloud storage for MSP360 in Europe means leveraging features like country-level geofencing to keep all backups within specific EU borders. This satisfies strict GDPR data residency rules. Furthermore, implementing immutable backups with S3 Object Lock provides a powerful defense against ransomware, ensuring data integrity and availability. This combination of geofencing and immutability offers a robust, two-layered defense for GDPR compliance. These technical measures are critical for building a resilient and legally sound backup strategy for your clients.

Align with NIS-2 Supply Chain Security Requirements

The NIS-2 Directive, which EU member states must adopt by October 2024, places a strong emphasis on supply chain security. MSPs are considered a critical part of their clients' supply chains and must assess the cybersecurity risks posed by their own vendors, including cloud storage providers. This means selecting a partner with transparent and verifiable security practices is no longer optional. A compliant storage provider must demonstrate a continuous security process, including vulnerability management and clear incident reporting timelines. Here are key security measures to look for in a provider:

• Documented policies for risk management and information security.
• Procedures for managing risks related to ICT service procurement.
• Regular security testing, including penetration tests and vulnerability scans.
• Timely application of security patches to address vulnerabilities.
• Support for identity-based IAM with MFA and role-driven policies.

By partnering with a provider that bakes these certified security processes into its operations, you directly address NIS-2's supply chain mandate.

Prepare for the EU Data Act with a No-Lock-In Architecture

Applying from September 2025, the EU Data Act is designed to prevent vendor lock-in and guarantee data portability. The act requires cloud providers to remove technical and contractual barriers, making it easier for customers to switch services. It mandates that providers must actively support data migration, ensuring not just raw data but also metadata and configurations can be transferred. A provider built on open standards with full S3 API compatibility is inherently aligned with the Data Act's goals. This commitment to interoperability ensures you can migrate data to or from the platform without rewriting applications or scripts. Choosing a partner with a transparent exit strategy protects your freedom of action and prepares your MSP for this new era of data mobility.

Leverage an 'Always-Hot' Model for Superior Performance

Complex, tiered storage models often introduce unexpected delays and costs during urgent restores, creating risk for MSPs and their clients. An 'Always-Hot' object storage architecture ensures every piece of data is immediately accessible with no restore delays or hidden retrieval fees. This model simplifies operations for tools like MSP360, as there are no fragile lifecycle policies to manage that could lead to API timeouts. This approach guarantees strong read/write consistency and predictable latencies under any workload. For MSPs, this means faster, more reliable disaster recovery operations and a more stable secure backup service for clients. This architectural choice directly supports business continuity and strengthens your service level agreements.

Drive MSP Profitability with a Predictable Cost Structure

For MSPs offering Backup-as-a-Service, unpredictable costs from cloud providers can destroy profit margins. The most compliant cloud storage for MSP360 in Europe should also be the most predictable. A pricing model with zero egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage durations provides the financial stability needed to build defensible margins. This transparency allows you to price your services confidently without worrying about surprise charges when a client needs to perform a large-scale recovery. With expanded local access through distributors like api in Germany and Northamber plc in the UK, onboarding becomes even faster. This partner-ready approach, combined with a multi-tenant console and automation via API/CLI, is designed specifically to help your MSP business scale efficiently.

Implement a Compliant Backup Strategy with MSP360

Transitioning to a compliant storage solution requires a clear, practical plan. Integrating a sovereign cloud with MSP360 is straightforward due to its native S3 compatibility. Here is a simple checklist to guide your migration and setup:

1. Verify S3 API Credentials: Confirm your new storage endpoints and generate new access keys within the provider's console.
2. Configure MSP360 Storage Account: Add the new S3-compatible storage account in MSP360, entering the endpoint, bucket name, and credentials.
3. Enable Immutability: Create a new backup plan and select the option for Object Lock (Immutability) to protect against ransomware.
4. Run an Initial Backup: Start with a small test backup to verify connectivity and performance with at least 100 files.
5. Perform a Test Restore: Immediately conduct a test restore of at least 10% of the backed-up data to confirm data integrity and accessibility.
6. Update Backup Plans: Once validated, update your primary backup plans to use the new sovereign storage target.

Following these steps ensures a seamless transition while activating the critical compliance and security features your clients need. Ready to build a more resilient and compliant backup service? Talk to an expert today.