Sovereign clouds refer to cloud computing services that are hosted within a specific country or region, and are subject to the laws, regulations, and policies of that country or region. Enterprises are increasingly embracing sovereign clouds for a variety of reasons, including data sovereignty concerns, compliance requirements, and the need for greater control over their IT infrastructure.

Figure 1. Enterprises embrace sovereign clouds

Enterprises embrace sovereign clouds is shown in figure 1. A sovereign cloud is a cloud computing environment that stores each organization’s data (including metadata) on servers located within their local country. This means data is stored in compliance with local laws and is protected from foreign access. Essentially a sovereign cloud hosts data within the borders of a specific country and is governed by its laws.

Why is the sovereign cloud growing?

• Data security and confidentiality
• Creating an ecosystem
• The efficiency of the hosting system [1]Agility

Sovereign cloud

A sovereign cloud refers to cloud computing services that a government or a government-controlled entity provides rather than a private company. These clouds are designed to address concerns about data privacy, security, and compliance with local regulations.

For example, in Singapore, HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) and Microsoft are developing a sovereign cloud to accelerate digital transformation and innovation for HTX, and address emerging technology needs across Singapore’s Home Team Departments. The agreement will also introduce new skilling, job development and training initiatives.

Over in Malaysia, 3i Infotech’s NuRe 3i+ powered by Oracle, a first-ever Zero Trust Sovereign Cloud in Malaysia is slated to be a gamechanger in the way SMBs and enterprises embrace transformation. The Zero Trust Sovereign Cloud platform will have data and operational sovereignty built into it, providing compliance to businesses that aim to retain data within the country’s borders.[2]

The sovereign clouds are all here to dwell. In the coming years, we can hope to see international law and the technology sector increasingly overlap. The cloud service providers will entertain more government contracts to create sovereign clouds that comply with a country’s data protection laws. Additionally, on a supranational scale, several countries that share a common data ethic will sign accords that will result in regional and transnational sovereign clouds. [3]

References:

1. https://www.opendatasoft.com/en/glossary/sovereign-cloud/
2. https://techwireasia.com/2023/01/heres-how-apac-organizations-are-embracing-cloud-computing-benefits/
3. https://community.nasscom.in/communities/cloud-computing/what-sovereign-cloud-and-what-its-importance

Cite this article:

Gokula Nandhini K (2023), Enterprises embrace sovereign clouds, Anatechmaz, pp.88