AWS Unveils Independent European Governance for Sovereign Cloud Initiative

Details

• AWS has announced a new sovereign cloud governance structure for Europe, led by Kathrin Renz, a German national, and overseen by an independent advisory board of EU residents.
• The AWS European Sovereign Cloud will be managed by three German-based subsidiaries, featuring fully independent infrastructure and networking, supported by AWS Direct Connect and a European Certificate Authority.
• The initiative incorporates localized Security Operations Centers, a Sovereign Requirements Framework, and ensures continuity of autonomous operations during any global AWS outages.
• This framework builds on AWS’s existing EU compliance efforts, using the AWS Nitro System to guarantee the same service features available in other global regions while adding enhanced sovereignty controls.
• Backed by a €7.8 billion investment, the project is scheduled to launch in Brandenburg, Germany, by the end of 2025, with over 130,000 AWS partners preparing tailored solutions.

Impact

AWS’s new governance approach squarely positions it against Microsoft and Google in the competitive European sovereign cloud market. This move not only addresses heightened EU regulatory demands but also showcases AWS’s commitment to local control and compliance. The significant investment underscores AWS's ambition to support public sector digital transformation and regulated industry adoption across Europe.