STACKIT – The Sovereign Cloud, Done Right!

Many cloud providers advertise with the term “data sovereignty.” But what’s promised isn’t always delivered. What defines true data sovereignty? And how does STACKIT’s offering differ from that of its competitors?

Key Takeaways

Related:Sovereign Cloud Does Not End at the Server Location  /  German Hyperscaler: Who Really Has Substance

Ninety-seven percent of companies in Germany already use cloud services or plan to do so–according to the Bitkom industry association’s Cloud Monitor. Secure, compliant, flexible, and transparent data processing has therefore become a top-priority issue. The solution to these challenges? Data sovereignty.

Data sovereignty is a claim many providers proudly make. Yet, they often lack fundamental prerequisites: They cannot guarantee independence or confirm that data is stored exclusively within the EU. Verifiable proof of security standards? Nonexistent!

Truly sovereign – or not?

It is crucial to distinguish between data sovereignty on paper and in reality. Only a genuinely data-sovereign cloud gives users full control over their stored data, allows data to be migrated easily and affordably, adheres to the highest security and data protection standards (which must be proven!), and ensures that all data is processed and stored exclusively in the EU.

Here are the criteria to look for in a genuinely data-sovereign cloud:

• Legally secure and GDPR-compliant through exclusive data storage/processing in the EU
• Data available at all times – even in geopolitical or economic crises (no sanctions or shutdowns/recession-independent provider)
• Protection of data from access by unauthorized third parties (e.g., US authorities under the CLOUD Act)
• Maximum transparency regarding all processes related to your data
• Maximum autonomy, ensuring you retain full control over your data at all times
• Long-term operation and service thanks to the economic stability of the provider
• Flexible through open standards – easy and cost-effective data migration and avoidance of technical and economic vendor lock-in through open source
• Multi-layered security through geo-redundant data storage and numerous proven certifications

STACKIT’s cloud solution meets these criteria 100 percent. What sets it apart from other cloud offerings are its open standards and transparency from A to Z. Additionally, all data is provided and processed in its own data centers in the heart of the EU. Companies can thus rely on GDPR-compliant handling of their data. Moreover, third countries outside the EU do not have access to the data. STACKIT is therefore a pioneer in genuine data sovereignty.

STACKIT has another ace up its sleeve. As a company of the Schwarz Gruppe – the largest European retailer – STACKIT developed its cloud for its own companies like Lidl and Kaufland. It is not only deeply tested but also stable, being independent of economic fluctuations and crises.

Technically excellent

STACKIT operates three state-of-the-art, highly available data centers at its corporate headquarters in Neckarsulm and in Ellhofen (district of Heilbronn-Franken), as well as in Ostermiething, Austria, between Braunau and Salzburg. Thanks to their multi-location options, they meet the BSI’s georedundancy requirements, enabling cost-effective, efficient, and simple implementation of distributed data replication and backup scenarios–including complex business continuity and disaster recovery strategies.

The three data centers offer rental space ranging from 150 to 1,000 square meters. They guarantee a minimum availability of 99.98 percent, feature outstanding PUE values below 1.5, and comply with all common ISO and TS standards. The Ostermiething data center is even Austria’s first DE-CIX Enabled Site, offering expanded services such as peering and data center interconnect.

The benefits of STACKIT’s data-sovereign cloud

The exclusive data hosting in the German-speaking region, where the highest security standards and legal certainty are maintained, the transparent data processing with 24/7 service, and the open standards without vendor lock-in are what set STACKIT Cloud apart.

As STACKIT is economically stable as part of the Schwarz Group, all benefits can be sustainably provided. This makes STACKIT Cloud a pioneer for true data sovereignty with geo-redundant availability. Top priority is given to ensuring that critical compliance standards are met and all data is stored and processed in accordance with GDPR.

Would you like to learn more about STACKIT’s data-sovereign cloud solutions? Download our exclusive ePaper here!

Frequently Asked Questions

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