The expression “European sovereignty by design” has become widely used by both European and non-European players. But what does it really mean for an organization?
In a recent interview, David Chassan from OUTSCALE shed light on this concept. It is not just about where your data is located, but about a genuine philosophy that integrates trust and independence into every layer of a Cloud service.
David Chassan sums up this approach in five key pillars:
1. 100% European ownership
The first shield against extraterritorial influence is ownership. A company like OUTSCALE, fully owned by European stakeholders, ensures that its strategic decisions are not dependent on any foreign interests or directives that could conflict with European values. This financial and organizational independence forms the foundation of true sovereignty.
2. Exclusive compliance with European law
“If your Cloud provider is subject to foreign law, it may be forced to hand over your data to its government,” warns Chassan. The distinction here is crucial: storing data in Europe is not enough, it is the applicable jurisdiction that makes the difference. A provider subject only to European legislation — GDPR and other regulations — guarantees full protection against foreign legal frameworks such as the U.S. Cloud Act.
3. Governance rooted in Europe
Sovereignty also depends on leadership. With executives and governance based in Europe, a provider has a deep understanding of regulatory challenges, cultural specificities, and the strategic needs of local organizations. This proximity fosters trust and enables fast, tailored responses.
4. Services designed and operated in Europe
The chain of trust cannot be complete without full technological control. Outsourcing critical components or relying on non-European third-party software introduces vulnerabilities. “Our Cloud services are fully developed and operated in Europe, with no foreign dependencies or reliance on outside vendors,” Chassan emphasizes. This vertical integration ensures technical sovereignty, from the code to the infrastructure.
5. SecNumCloud certification
SecNumCloud is the most demanding certification in terms of Cloud security in France, and it has become a European benchmark. Achieving it demonstrates a company’s commitment to protecting sensitive environments against the most advanced threats.
“When we talk about ‘European sovereignty by design,’ it means we do not outsource trust: we build it from the ground up,” concludes Chassan. In an age of cyber threats and geopolitical tensions, choosing a Cloud provider committed at this level goes far beyond the technical dimension: it is a true strategic choice.
