Distinguish Data Residency from True Digital Sovereignty

Many providers offer data storage within European borders, meeting a basic residency requirement. However, if a non-EU entity owns the provider, your data remains subject to foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act. This law permits US authorities to compel access to data controlled by US firms, regardless of its physical location. True sovereignty means your data is legally and operationally controlled by an EU-based company under EU law. This distinction is the foundation for finding the most compliant object storage in Europe. This jurisdictional clarity ensures regulations like GDPR are upheld without conflict. True compliance architecture starts with legal and geographical alignment.

Align Storage with GDPR's Core Principles

GDPR compliance is a primary driver for choosing European object storage. The regulation restricts personal data transfers outside the EEA unless the receiving country has an adequate level of protection. Using a provider governed exclusively by EU law simplifies this, as data remains within the same legal framework from creation to deletion. Features like geofencing ensure data stays within a specified country, providing auditable proof of compliance for regulated industries. For example, financial services can enforce that all customer data remains within Germany. This moves beyond simple storage to active compliance management.

Prepare for 2025's New Regulatory Landscape

Two major regulations taking full effect in 2025 redefine compliance standards for cloud services. They demand a proactive approach to security and data portability. These new rules make choosing the right storage partner more critical than ever.

Meet EU Data Act Portability Mandates

The EU Data Act, applicable from September 2025, is designed to prevent vendor lock-in. It requires cloud providers to facilitate easy switching to another service, including the transfer of all data and metadata. A compliant storage solution must have 100% S3 API compatibility to ensure your tools and scripts work without modification. Furthermore, a transparent cost model with zero egress fees or API call charges is essential for true data portability. This aligns directly with the Act's goal of creating a fair and competitive digital market. Your EU cloud data protection strategy must account for these new rights.

Adhere to NIS-2 Security Requirements

The NIS-2 Directive imposes stringent cybersecurity risk-management measures for critical infrastructure, including data center and cloud providers. Compliance requires a multi-layered security approach. Key capabilities to look for include:

• Immutable Storage: Object Lock functionality makes data unchangeable for a set period, providing robust defense against ransomware.
• Advanced IAM: Granular Identity and Access Management with MFA and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures only authorized personnel access data.
• Continuous Security: Providers must demonstrate ongoing vulnerability management, supply-chain security, and documented incident reporting processes.
• EU-Controlled Encryption: Both at-rest and in-transit encryption must be managed under EU jurisdiction, including all key management procedures.

These features are not optional extras; they are fundamental requirements for operating in Europe's evolving digital infrastructure.

Leverage an Architecture Built for Resilience and Simplicity

The most compliant object storage solutions pair regulatory alignment with a superior technical architecture. An "Always-Hot" storage model ensures all data is immediately accessible without delays from tiering. This eliminates the operational complexity and hidden restore fees common with legacy systems. For use cases like backup and disaster recovery, this guarantees that 100% of your data is ready for restoration at any moment. This architectural choice directly supports business continuity and simplifies audits. Full S3 compatibility further protects your existing investments in applications and pipelines. This focus on operational excellence is a hallmark of ISO 27001 certified storage. This simplicity ensures your compliance posture is not weakened by complex, brittle systems.

Empower MSPs and Channel Partners with a Predictable Model

For Managed Service Providers, resellers, and system integrators, compliance is a service promise to clients. A predictable economic model is crucial for building profitable offerings. Storage with zero egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage duration allows MSPs to offer Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) with stable, defensible margins. A partner-ready platform provides essential tools for this market. Features should include:

1. A multi-tenant management console with robust RBAC and MFA.
2. Full automation capabilities via API and CLI for streamlined operations.
3. Clear reporting tools for client billing and usage monitoring.
4. Fast onboarding processes to accelerate time-to-revenue.

Recent distribution agreements with partners like api in Germany and Northamber plc in the UK demonstrate a growing ecosystem designed to support the channel. This partner-centric approach makes it easier to deliver sovereign object storage across Europe.

Implement Your Sovereign Storage Strategy

Transitioning to a compliant storage solution is a practical, value-driven move. Start by identifying all workloads that process sensitive or regulated data. A 100% S3-compatible API ensures your existing backup tools, from Veeam to NovaBackup, integrate seamlessly. Test the migration process with a small dataset to validate endpoint configurations and IAM policies. Finally, perform a test restore to confirm data integrity and accessibility, ensuring your disaster recovery plan is fully functional. This methodical approach minimizes risk and accelerates your path to verifiable compliance. Ready to build a truly sovereign data strategy? Talk to an expert to get started.