In Europe, regulatory responsibilities are growing, alongside international pressure. While the EU has established clear rules for handling personal data through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and created fair competition conditions for digital platforms with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), these regulations are facing criticism outside Europe. In particular, voices from the US are increasingly labeling European rules as market-unfriendly.

Regardless of how this debate unfolds, it is already clear for businesses that control over data and IT infrastructure is a strategic necessity—not only for compliance but also as a foundation for maintaining competitive agility in a global market.

Public vs. Private Cloud: What Works for SMEs?

The current situation is complex: While public clouds from international hyperscalers offer scalability, flexibility, and cost advantages, their use is raising growing legal concerns. Even when data is physically stored in Europe, many providers are still subject to foreign laws—such as the US Cloud Act—which can conflict with European data protection requirements.

This issue is not just relevant for large corporations but also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs often rely on external platforms but may not always have the resources to fully assess the legal implications of such services.

Why SMEs Need Independent Cloud Models

While large corporations can often handle legal and technical challenges internally, many SMEs quickly reach their limits. Companies that want to process sensitive data in a legally compliant manner need external expertise and reliable partnerships—especially when dealing with global platform providers with opaque contractual structures.

According to a recent analysis by McKinsey, 95% of European companies see tangible benefits in cloud usage. However, many report that these benefits are still limited to specific application areas and have not yet been realized on a larger scale. Data protection, data security, and regulatory compliance remain the key focus.

At the same time, the path to the cloud remains complex: Integrating existing IT infrastructures and navigating legal frameworks remain central challenges. According to IDC, 84% of European companies using cloud technologies either already employ sovereign cloud solutions or plan to implement them to meet the rising demands of digital sovereignty.

Private Cloud for SMEs: Three Key Requirements

Sovereignty in the cloud means that businesses determine where their data resides, who can access it, and who is responsible for its operation—legally secure, transparent, and without dependence on global corporations.

Compared to public cloud offerings, the private cloud provides several significant advantages:

  • Full Data Control: Businesses always know where their data is stored and who has access to it.
  • GDPR Compliance: Adherence to European data protection regulations is not only possible but structurally integrated.
  • Integration with Existing IT Landscapes: Hybrid scenarios can be seamlessly implemented.
  • Security and Availability: Tailored security mechanisms, regular monitoring, and resilient infrastructures ensure operational stability—even in times of crisis.

Above all, a sovereign private cloud enables strategic independence, which is hard to achieve with standardized public cloud solutions.

From Strategy to Implementation: Infrastructure, Security, Trust

CONVOTIS supports SMEs in implementing sovereign cloud strategies with a solution that combines security, flexibility, and data protection.

Our private cloud solutions are exclusively operated in certified data centers located in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg. This ensures that all data remains within legally secure environments—independent of international regulations or third-country access.

A key feature is our high-security standards: Our infrastructure is ISO-27001 certified and meets all current European security requirements—including the increasing relevance of the NIS2 Directive, which places more cybersecurity responsibility on businesses.

Modern encryption technologies, continuous network security, and ongoing monitoring proactively protect your systems. Redundant architectural concepts with geo-redundant backup sites ensure very high availability—even in the event of unexpected disruptions. This keeps mission-critical processes stable, and data is always reliably recoverable.

With personal support from our experts, even complex requirements can be efficiently implemented—such as integrating existing systems or building custom cloud infrastructures.

Digital Sovereignty Begins with the Right Cloud Strategy

Cloud technology has become indispensable in the modern IT landscape. However, with growing importance—especially in times of geopolitical tensions and international conflicts of interest—the requirements are also increasing: data protection, IT compliance, security, and control over one’s own systems.

For SMEs, this means that a modern cloud strategy must not only be powerful but also future-proof. The foundation for this is provided by private cloud solutions—integrated, controllable, and independent of international hyperscalers, as well as resilient to global dependencies that could limit a company’s ability to act.

Anyone planning a cloud strategy today must factor in security, control, and European standards from the start. We are here to support you in this process—focusing on stability, security, and cloud governance.

Because we are convinced: the cloud is here to stay—as a European, sovereign solution.