Explore our key resources on sovereign cloud technology, offering clear insights, practical use cases, and actionable guidance to support your cloud strategy.
Data sovereignty means your data belongs to you, and only you. The Open Telekom Cloud upholds this principle through EU-based data centers, zero-access architecture, advanced encryption, and flexible key-management options such as BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) and HYOK (Hold Your Own Key).
Access by external governments, including under U.S. legislation such as the Cloud Act, is not possible. You retain full control over how your data is stored, processed, and deleted at all times. For highly sensitive sectors, including the judiciary, healthcare, and finance, the platform provides additional safeguards and ensures full compliance with the GDPR as well as §203 StGB and §35 SGB (e.g., requirements for social insurance data processing).
Operational sovereignty means freedom from dependence on non-European infrastructure and governance. The Open Telekom Cloud is operated exclusively by T-Systems, a wholly European provider, using high-security data centers in Germany and the Netherlands. All operations remain fully within the European legal framework and comply with EU data protection and security regulations. No emergency access by foreign authorities is permitted.
This delivers critical trust for organizations managing sensitive data and operating under strict regulatory obligations. Transparent, auditable processes support key compliance frameworks, including DORA, TISAX and KRITIS.
Technological sovereignty means control over your technology stack, with the ability to adopt, replace, or integrate components at any time. The Open Telekom Cloud is built on open standards and open source technologies, including OpenStack, Kubernetes, Terraform, OpenTofu, and interoperable APIs.
This prevents vendor lock-in, strengthens compatibility across multi-cloud environments, and enables innovation across AI, analytics, and DevOps. The result is long-term flexibility, both now and in the future.
How can Europe deliver digital sovereignty, from legal and strategic foundations to real technical implementation? Our white paper outlines why European cloud infrastructure has become essential, which regulatory frameworks apply (including GDPR, the AI Act, and DORA), and how organizations can build trust and control through Sovereignty by Design. It includes real use cases, partner solutions, and a practical roadmap for adopting a sovereign cloud strategy.
Digital sovereignty starts with data, operations, and technology, but extends far beyond them. When evaluating sovereign cloud solutions, organizations must assess multiple factors, including provider jurisdiction, technological openness, transparency, and the ability to operate efficiently at scale.
Independent certifications are a critical benchmark for sovereign cloud platforms, verifying that security, compliance, and sector-specific requirements are applied consistently and at scale. The Open Telekom Cloud holds a comprehensive range of certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27017, ISO/IEC 27018, TISAX, C5 (BSI), and DORA. It also fulfills the requirements of §203 of the German Criminal Code (confidentiality obligations) and the Financial Addendum for BaFin-compliant cloud solutions. This enables legally compliant cloud deployments for highly regulated industries, including banking, insurance, healthcare, critical infrastructure (KRITIS), and public sector organizations, without sacrificing performance.
True digital sovereignty requires solutions across every layer, from infrastructure (IaaS) and platform services (PaaS) to industry-specific applications (SaaS). To deliver this, the Open Telekom Cloud works with a broad European partner ecosystem that supports the development of scalable, compliant, and regulation-ready services. This network enables organizations to adopt tailored solutions that meet their technical and legal requirements, backed by the added confidence of trusted European partnerships.
Advanced AI systems deliver their greatest value when deployed on sovereign infrastructure. With Sovereign AI on the Open Telekom Cloud, organizations gain access to preconfigured frameworks and GPU-powered instances, fully hosted within European infrastructure. This enables secure and compliant execution of AI workloads, including large language model training, fine-tuning, inference, and the processing of sensitive data, without the risk of training data leaving a sovereign environment. The full AI lifecycle, from initial model development to long-term production deployment, remains fully controlled, secure, and legally compliant.
Sustainability is not a formal requirement for digital sovereignty, but it is increasingly a strategic priority for organizations. The Open Telekom Cloud operates energy-efficient data centers supported by short supply chains and a defined CO₂ reduction strategy. A flagship example is the data center in Biere, one of the largest and most efficient cloud facilities in Europe. Powered by 100% renewable electricity, it has received the European Commission’s Code of Conduct Award for energy efficiency. In this way, the Open Telekom Cloud unites sovereign cloud operations with a measurable commitment to climate responsibility.
The Open Telekom Cloud is a proven sovereign cloud platform trusted across multiple industries and recognized in leading analyst reports, including ISG Provider Lens™ and The Forrester Wave™. Ready to advance your sovereign cloud strategy? Contact us today to get started.
Cloud and AI are a powerful combination, particularly when built on secure, sovereign infrastructure. One example is amberSearch, a leading enterprise search solution that uses the Open Telekom Cloud to meet strict customer requirements for data security and digital sovereignty.
“We decided to implement maximum data sovereignty.” With d.velop powered by the Open Telekom Cloud, organizations use a SaaS platform that meets strict compliance standards, including for highly regulated industries
The Education LLM has arrived. With it, DeutschlandGPT is enabling new AI capabilities in areas such as school education. This specialized, education-focused foundation model is delivered through the Open Telekom Cloud using fully sovereign infrastructure.
Use our self-assessment to evaluate whether your cloud solution meets key requirements, including data protection, security, compliance, availability, and scalability. To identify the specific needs and potential risks within your unique cloud architecture, we recommend speaking directly with our experts. Fill out the contact form below to receive personalized guidance and recommendations.
Use our self-assessment to evaluate whether your cloud solution meets key requirements, including data protection, security, compliance, availability, and scalability. To identify the specific needs and potential risks within your unique cloud architecture, we recommend speaking directly with our experts. Fill out the contact form below to receive personalized guidance and recommendations.
The solution uses a layered security architecture, including encryption for data at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication (MFA), continuous monitoring, and regular independent security audits.
The solution meets required regulatory obligations, including GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), and holds recognized certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or equivalent industry standards.
The cloud platform supports flexible horizontal and vertical scaling without the need for additional infrastructure or complex reconfiguration.
The platform delivers at least 99.9% availability and includes disaster recovery capabilities to support rapid response and continuity in the event of an outage.
The provider delivers 24/7 support by phone, email, and chat, along with a self-service knowledge portal and ongoing training opportunities for users.
The platform offers APIs and prebuilt connectors for common ERP, CRM, and enterprise systems, enabling fast, reliable, and seamless integration.
Pricing is transparent and usage-based, with no hidden fees. Billing is straightforward, fair, and designed to support cost control and planning.
The platform supports straightforward data migration and enables unrestricted data export, ensuring long-term flexibility and independence from single-vendor constraints.
The provider consistently invests in platform development, delivering frequent updates and new features that align with evolving technology standards and market needs.
Our specialists provide personalized, confidential guidance tailored to your requirements. Submit the form, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
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